Michael Carrick defends Manchester United squad from Gary Neville barb: 'Gaz says a lot'

Neville, formerly Carrick’s team-mate at United, has been outspoken in his criticism of the club in recent seasons.

He attacked the squad in a recent critique on his podcast, suggesting some members of the team are not upholding United’s standards: “There’s a few of them that aren’t that professional. There’s a couple of them, I live in Manchester, they’re not that professional some of them. I’ve got no time for them.”

But Carrick was quick to defend his players as they prepare to face Chelsea in an important fixture on Saturday lunchtime, as they look to snap an eight-game winless streak.

Asked whether he had seen signs of such unprofessionalism since taking over in January, he was adamant: “No, I haven’t. Gaz says a lot of things.”

He added: “The challenge is keeping that belief deep within you, to know it’s there and it’s possible. That’s exactly where we’re at now.

“We need something to flip for everyone, to change the feeling and get the confidence from us, definitely in the team and definitely from the supporters and that belief again.

“It’s never far away. As far away as it seems, it’s never that far away.”

Carrick’s position has come under heavy scrutiny of late, and few expected him to remain in the dugout for the trip to Chelsea after United were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last time out.

He and his squad have, however, been given the chance to turn things around after crisis talks held between head coach and club executives.

Carrick said he hopes those tough conversations will help United get back to winning ways: Whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason (Wilcox, director of football), Omar (Berrada, chief executive) or the owners.

“It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times, and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we’ll do.”