Carrick: Team atmosphere unchanged, I expected a period of poor results

Today, Manchester United will play Fulham in their fifth Premier League match. Ahead of the game, Carrick sat down for an exclusive interview with Sky Sports. In the first part of the interview, he discussed the team's recent performance and existing issues.

The last time we sat down for an interview was in Dublin, and I remember at the end asking you how you felt about the head coach position at that time, and whether you thought you could officially get it. Back then you were very candid, saying, "I don't know, we'll have to wait and see." My first question is: what has changed for you personally since that meeting?

Honestly, not much has changed. I took over midway through last season and completed the entire campaign. As I said then, we've always been working and planning with the goal of strengthening the squad and putting the club in a better position for the future.

Everything we do is actually focused on the future and ensuring we can remain in charge. This is the only viable and correct approach.

So entering the new season, the essence hasn't changed. It's now about building on the foundation we laid last season, striving to improve in all aspects, and making the squad stronger. These are all very practical tasks, and we are currently at this stage.

For you personally, bringing the Champions League back to Old Trafford must be very significant. As head coach, standing there and hearing the Champions League anthem play, what did that moment feel like? This position is well-deserved for you.

That night was important on many levels; it validated the progress we made last season. Some of the young players in the squad had never played in the Champions League or experienced the competition before, so it was incredibly significant for them to feel the atmosphere firsthand.

After a long time, welcoming the Champions League back to Old Trafford, the fans showed immense support, and we truly felt what it was like to return to the Champions League stage. We were delighted to secure the victory, getting off to a good start this season, and we hope to have many more nights like that in the future.

The new season has had a rocky start, with highlights like returning to the Champions League but also consecutive defeats. In your coaching career so far, do you feel the atmosphere within the club has hit a low point?

Not at all. The team atmosphere is actually very good. At this club, after one or two poor results, external opinion can easily become noisy. But those of us on the inside must remain calm. We understand the current situation and know what we need to do to improve.

I actually anticipated a period like this. As you mentioned, it was that strong run in January that helped us qualify for the Champions League. When a team like ours, which didn't start from a high point and built its squad step by step towards success, goes through an excellent run, it's normal to encounter periods where things don't go as planned.

Losing matches is not what we want, and we absolutely do not accept defeat; that needs to be clear. But you have to understand the process of team building. To build a successful team, you will inevitably face challenges, and you must grit your teeth and get through them.

We still possess the commitment to doing the right things, maintaining our belief and fighting spirit. A single defeat won't undo all of that in a week. Of course, we must start winning again; we have the ability to win. We aren't crawling out of an abyss.

That's football; the situation can completely reverse in an instant.

I understand that public opinion can swing, but that's not happening internally with us.

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