Carrick Fires Back: Man Utd's Draw at Fulham Is a 'Positive Sign'
Michael Carrick is not backing down. After Manchester United's tense 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, the gaffer insists there are real positives to grab, even as the Red Devils wobble through their worst start in years.
Matheus Cunha's deflected strike saved United from a third straight defeat, but the performance left fans scratching their heads. With just one win in five Premier League games, the club heads into the international break looking shaky. Still, Carrick is standing firm, telling critics to pump the brakes.
Did United really show fight at Craven Cottage?
Lisandro Martinez's bizarre own goal in the 63rd minute put Fulham ahead, and United only woke up after that. But Carrick, ever the optimist, says he saw hunger where others saw passivity.
When asked if his side looked flat, he hit back:
“I didn't think we were. Did you think we were? Football is a difficult game. We controlled a lot of the first half. It's the Premier League and you will have spells where you don't have it all your own way.”
It's a bold stance from a man whose team has now lost to Manchester City and Brighton in the past week. But Carrick is not sweating the noise.
What did Carrick say about United's performance?
Despite the rocky ride, Carrick believes his boys deserved more from the trip to London.
“I thought we should have won the game, I thought we created enough to win the game. The goal we did concede is one of them goals. The boys could have thought 'it is one of those days' but I really like the reaction. We nearly won it in the end.”
He added:
“I think we can take a lot from today. I think we can learn a lot as well. We can be better at certain things, that is pretty clear, but there were some good signs today.”
Is Carrick feeling the pressure at Old Trafford?
Not a chance. The United boss brushed off talk of a crisis, keeping his eyes on the bigger picture.
“What bothers me is that we want better results. We're going to have a spell where it's not quite going for you. We don't think things are perfect by any means. We need to win football matches.”
But not everyone is buying the positive spin. Cunha, who scored the equalizer, threw some serious shade at United's work rate.
What did Cunha say about United's energy?
The Brazilian forward didn't hold back, calling out the lack of drive from Carrick's men.
“After the goal, we played much better with a lot of enthusiasm and character. This needs to be from the start. In the beginning of the second half they put in more energy than us and we cannot accept this. We always play better after conceding goal, and it cannot be like this. We need to improve in every single position.”
Ouch. That's a stinging review from the man who actually saved United's skin.
What's next for Manchester United?
The international break gives Carrick time to regroup, but the questions won't disappear. Can United turn this around, or is this the start of a long, painful season? One thing is clear: Carrick is not ready to wave the white flag.
For now, the Red Devils will take the point and run. But with the pressure mounting, the next few weeks could define their entire campaign.