Carrick vows to lead Manchester United against Roma despite fresh sacking calls after Chelsea loss

Michael Carrick confirmed he expects to take charge of Manchester United’s Champions League fixture against Roma on Tuesday, speaking after a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday left the club winless in nine games.

United were the better side for much of the first half against Chelsea but failed to convert their chances, and the hosts punished that wastefulness with two second-half goals to compound a miserable run that has produced just two wins from 13 matches across all competitions.

The result has renewed calls for Carrick’s dismissal, but the interim manager gave no indication he expected to be relieved of his duties before the midweek European tie. “I’m just looking forward to getting the boys ready for midweek now,” he said at his post-match press conference.

Carrick had already survived one serious threat to his position after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth the previous weekend. Chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox held talks at Carrington on Monday before deciding to keep him in post. Saturday’s loss at Chelsea has reignited that debate within the club.

Asked whether he could draw any encouragement from the performance, Carrick pointed to United’s first-half display as evidence of what his side are capable of. “The way they went about it and played, the quality of football and the way we played in the first half definitely gives encouragement, and we’ve got to take that,” he said. “I’m not clinging to the first half as a huge positive, but I think they’re the type of feelings and performances that we’ve got to give to them.”

He acknowledged the game turned on a poor goal conceded early in the second half, which left his side chasing the match with ten men. “We gave away a bad goal, and then it’s a lot more challenging to be in a situation like that with 10 men,” he added.

Despite the difficult run of results, United’s travelling support continued to sing Carrick’s name throughout the match at Stamford Bridge, and the manager applauded the away end at full-time. “The supporters have been absolutely amazing,” he said. “They’ve gone through some really big highs over the years and it’s easy to go the other way. But the way they’ve stuck by all of us and supported the team — that sums up exactly what they’re all about.”

United’s trip to face Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday now represents a critical opportunity for Carrick to steady the ship, with the pressure on his position unlikely to ease without a positive result.