Carrick faces the press under mounting pressure as United host Roma with relegation looming

Michael Carrick faced reporters on Monday ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League group-stage fixture against AS Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with the interim head coach’s future dominating the agenda after a ninth consecutive game without a win.

United’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday was the latest blow in a wretched run that has produced just two victories from 13 matches across all competitions. The result leaves the club above the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference, piling further pressure on Carrick, who confirmed after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge that he would remain in charge for the midweek fixture.

Carrick’s side were the better team for large stretches of the first half at Chelsea, with Amad, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes all spurning clear opportunities. The game turned in the second half when a moment of Morgan Rogers brilliance gave the hosts the lead, before Lisandro Martinez was dismissed for a second bookable offence — a reckless challenge on Wesley Fofana — and Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty to seal the points.

Martinez’s red card carries a one-match domestic suspension, meaning he is available to face Roma but will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa. Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte are ruled out of the Roma tie, while Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are listed as doubts.

Kobbie Mainoo, who came off the bench at Stamford Bridge, is expected to be fit to start against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

The timing of the fixture adds another layer of complexity for Carrick. An international break follows immediately after the Roma game, and with the festive fixture schedule approaching, the United head coach is widely understood to need results quickly to retain his position heading into December.