Michael Carrick quizzed on Martinez, dressing room unity and his future at the pre-Roma press conference

Manchester United lies one place above the relegation zone after its latest defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League. Red Devils next face Roma at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Updated : Nov 02, 2026 21:50 IST , Chennai - 3 MINS READ

Michael Carrick watches over Manchester United’s training as they prepare for the Roma clash in the Champions League at Old Trafford. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Manchester United (MUFC) is currently on its longest winless run since 1988, its worst start since 1986, and its fewest wins in the first eight games since 1953. However, Michael Carrick still believes his dressing room is in “a good place.”

The team lies one place above the relegation zone after its latest defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League. Red Devils next face Roma at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

There have been suggestions in the media that Carrick has until the next international break to resurrect the season for MUFC. After two successive defeats in the Champions League, they are placed 20th, and a win against the in-form Roma would help curb the spiral at multiple levels.

When asked if he has just two games to determine his future in the job, Carrick said, “No, not at all. If you look into the future, you never know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen. That doesn’t change the way I feel, how we’re preparing for the game tomorrow.”

“I’m actually really looking forward to the game, can’t wait for the game tomorrow. You might think I’m crazy with the results we’ve had and what’s going on, but I genuinely can’t wait,” he added.

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The defeats and the post-match comments of his players, captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez, have brought up questions of unity in the dressing room.

“Perception is a funny thing. You can make things look all sorts of different ways and think about all sorts of different things. I’ve said it before, the commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other, I don’t question that at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment is not a thing at all.” Carrick responded to the rumours.

Martinez, in particular, has been in poor form, and his comments have highlighted his performances, especially after he got sent off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

“Things happen in football, sometimes you do things, sometimes you make decisions, sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes it goes well for you, but the commitment is not an issue for sure,” Carrick said, defending Martinez.

Carrick was asked to recall his last encounter against Roma, back in 2007, where he scored a brace to take Man United to a 7-1 win in the quarterfinals. A time when MUFC were constantly successful.

“It was a magical night, I have to say. It was one of the best nights, one of the best games, one of the best atmospheres I’ve been fortunate enough to witness. The fact that I scored a couple, and that was very unusual, gives me great memories, but it was more the emotion of the night. I have to say, it was a special one,” said Carrick