Michael Carrick said Manchester United are in a "challenging, stickier" spell but he "totally believes" players will turn things around ahead of their Champions League game at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. United have only won two out of eight matches in all competitions so far this season, with back-to-back draws with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur following defeats to Manchester City and Brighton in the last month. The Champions League is an opportunity for Carrick to change that dynamic, having beaten Sabah 4-0 on matchday one, and now visiting Atlético at the Metropolitano.
Carrick acknowledged the team's struggles, saying "we hoped for a lot more [this season], we expected a lot more, but we are where we are." He emphasized that football and building something takes a journey, and overcoming challenges is part of the process. Carrick expressed confidence in the squad's long-term commitment, stating that difficult moments reveal who truly wants to be at the club for the long haul.
Drawing from his experience leading a turnaround in the 2025-26 season after taking over from Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick noted that United's current Premier League form—just one win in six games leaving them 13th—has increased pressure. However, he redefined pressure as knowing what the team wants and what it's capable of. He pointed to fine margins in recent games, including a 92nd-minute equalizer conceded to Tottenham, but maintained "utmost confidence" in the players' ability to win games and achieve success.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing