Carrick insists Man Utd 'big picture' remains positive as pressure mounts after Atletico defeat
Carrick under fire as United's winless run hits five
Michael Carrick's future at Manchester United is increasingly in doubt after another dismal night in Europe, but the under-fire boss insists the negativity surrounding the club does not reflect the wider picture at Old Trafford.
United were handily beaten 2-0 by LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Metropolitano on Wednesday. Pablo Barrios' 47-second opener set the tone for a miserable evening, Leny Yoro was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, and Ademola Lookman struck the clinching goal in the 79th minute.
Having drawn 1-1 with 10-man Tottenham on Saturday, United are now winless in five matches in all competitions (D2 L3) — their worst run since a six-game streak in January 2025 (D2 L4). Across this season, Ipswich Town (5-2 in the Premier League) and Sabah (4-0 in the Champions League) are the only sides United have beaten overall, leaving them with a record of PL9 W2 D2 L5.
'Big picture is a different story'
Despite the results, Carrick pointed to the four Opta-defined big chances his side created — their most without scoring in a Champions League match since September 2012 against Galatasaray (also four) — as evidence the foundations remain sound.
"We need to find a way, for sure. Tonight is a one-off game, which is very different – it's the Champions League, it's a tough place to come," Carrick said. "In that sense, the bigger picture is a different story. We need to improve certain things, and we're doing certain things okay. But we need to win games, for sure."
Asked whether his players' confidence had deserted them amid the dreadful run, Carrick was dismissive, instead pinpointing Sunday's trip to Leeds United as the perfect fixture to bounce back.
"I don't see confidence as an issue," he said. "I think to come here and respond and take the ball like we did, and control spells and create chances... it shows the confidence is there. There's the big disappointment of not winning, of course, but what a great game we have on Sunday to prepare for. It's a fantastic game for us, for the club, with the history for the supporters. Everything to do with the game is a great game, so we'll be ready for that."
Carrick dodges Martinez outburst
In the aftermath of the defeat, centre-back Lisandro Martinez made headlines for criticising United's hierarchy in an explosive interview with Amazon Prime. While the Argentine defended Carrick, he said everyone at Old Trafford "expected more from the top" and directly criticised technical director Jason Wilcox, claiming there was not sufficient investment in the squad this summer.
Asked about Martinez's pointed words, Carrick said he had not seen the interview and declined to engage.
"I haven't seen it. You come here to try and get something from the game and you are disappointed and can be emotional. I have not seen it, so I don't think it is the right time [to respond]. We all care and show that in different ways, but now is the time to be together and work through it."