Under-pressure Manchester United boss Michael Carrick delivered a passionate and emotional address lasting five minutes and 30 seconds as he battles to save his job. He also refused to rule out dropping skipper Bruno Fernandes for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Instead of answering questions as normal at Friday's pre-match media conference at Carrington, Carrick chose to speak first, a approach former boss Sir Alex Ferguson used, although the legendary Scot rarely spoke at such length. After seven games without a win, including Wednesday's shocking 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, Carrick wanted to reaffirm what United stood for. "Recently we haven't had a good time, I think that's pretty obvious," he said. "Wednesday was a bad night, and it hurt me to see us play like that. It was unacceptable."
Carrick stressed the club's foundations of humility, hard work and resilience. "Entitlement cannot be at this football club," he said. Asked about Fernandes, he replied: "I'll always do what is best for the football club." Club sources said Fernandes would not lose the captaincy or be fined over his post-match remarks, in which he said there was too much focus on the club's past.
Carrick insisted the dressing room was not divided. "We just need to get back to doing what we do best," he added. He also said the club were doing everything to support Fernandes and his family, whose Cheshire home was burgled on Wednesday.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing