Maguire backs Carrick after United's 3-0 collapse leaves manager on the brink

Harry Maguire insisted Manchester United’s dressing room remains ‘fully behind’ Michael Carrick after a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday left the head coach facing the sack at Old Trafford.

Carrick had already seen his position come under scrutiny following a heavy loss to Como, but Sunday’s result pushed him closer to the exit. The 44-year-old appeared emotional as he applauded supporters after the final whistle, though he insisted it was not a farewell.

United’s board will now determine Carrick’s future. The club have won just two of their 12 games across all competitions this season — a dismal return that has piled pressure on a manager who guided the club to Champions League qualification last term.

‘There’s a lack of confidence at the moment,’ Maguire told BBC Match of the Day. ‘The results, the performances — we have to look at ourselves and find something within ourselves to bring more to the team. That’s every player I’m talking about.’

The England centre-back pointed to individual errors at set pieces as a particular concern, adding: ‘Conceding set plays, a simple set play is just nowhere near good enough.’

Despite the crisis, Maguire was keen to stress that the season is not yet beyond rescue. ‘So early on in the season we can still have a good season, but something has got to change quick. It’s been disappointing — that has to change. When you play for this club you know you’re two or three games away from that happening. We will start winning football matches but we have to do it quickly.’

On the question of whether the squad retain faith in Carrick, Maguire was unequivocal: ‘We’re fully behind Michael. Coming into the team last season he turned things around and got Champions League football this season. As individuals, we’re not playing well enough.’