Ahead of Man United's Champions League Matchday 4 home game against Roma, manager Carrick gave an exclusive interview with club legend Peter Schmeichel for Colombian television.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I know it's an incredibly busy period for you. I just heard your comments at the press conference, where you faced essentially the same questions and gave the same answers, and I'm sure it gets tiresome to repeat yourself. But I know very well what it means to be a player here and the responsibilities and expectations that come with playing for this team. You also know very well what it feels like to be a player here, and you understand the standards expected of a Man United player. Now that you've become the manager here, you of all people know what Man United should be. However, the team's current performances are clearly falling short of those standards. So what exactly is going wrong right now? How do you view the current situation?"
"Ultimately, it all comes down to winning games. At the end of the day, football is about getting victories. Before this, we had a few months when the team was in very good form and heading in a positive direction. However, recent events have shown just how difficult football is, what it takes to succeed, and how hard it is to reach the heights you aspire to. It doesn't take major problems to lose momentum. Often, very subtle factors are enough to derail things."
"So our key task now is to regain that form by focusing on the small details in games and turning the situation around. The recent results have had a huge impact on the team. Those results come down to our own mistakes, some decisions beyond our control, and the quality of our finishing. It only takes a slight deviation to disrupt our rhythm."
"I think our game against Chelsea the other day exemplified this perfectly. We played really well in the first half—one of our best first-half performances in a long time—and should have been at least two goals ahead. But then the team somehow fell apart and became disjointed, and that's what we've been experiencing recently. We have to change this, and whether we can do that is entirely up to us."
"So how exactly do you plan to change this situation? When a crucial moment goes wrong in match after match, how do you turn that around? What concrete, practical steps do you take every day at the Carrington training ground?"
"Yes, in moments like this, you have to go back to the basics, the things you were taught when you started training as a child. Both of us made mistakes in games during our playing days and probably went through periods of poor form. Perhaps you had more slumps than I did (laughs). Regardless, you always go through phases when things don't go as planned, and that's precisely when you're tested."
"It's in those moments that belief becomes especially important. It tests how much effort you're willing to put in, and nothing can replace hard work and doing the basics well. As long as you lay the groundwork, your individual quality, technical ability, on-field instincts and confidence will come flooding back. But you have to accept that, during particularly difficult periods, you must adjust and adapt, taking whatever measures are needed to win a game and achieve the result you want."
"Over the past month or so, we've conceded a lot of avoidable goals through silly mistakes and even some frustrating own goals. Just last Saturday, we again saw poor decision-making at key moments. Tomorrow we face Roma, who are in excellent form, firing on all cylinders and scoring freely. Against such an opponent, what approach do you plan to take? How will you approach tomorrow's game, first by keeping a clean sheet and then by finding a way to get the result you want?"
"Yes, obviously, addressing our defensive problems and reducing the goals we concede largely comes down to good overall organization and mutual trust. You must be well organized defensively and have complete trust in the teammates around you, including those beside you, the unit in front of you, and the defensive line behind you. I believe this trust and organization have to be built step by step."
"Of course, when you're not winning games, there's often hesitation or doubt on the pitch. Sometimes players try to do too much because they want to change the situation. Keeping things simple is a beautiful thing. As long as you put yourself in the right defensive position at the right time and keep it simple, that matters more than anything. Ultimately, it's about doing the most basic things to the best of your ability. Once the basics are done well, everything else will naturally fall into place."
"We saw Kobbie Mainoo return to fitness and showcase his style and influence in the match against Chelsea. Today, you even brought him to this press conference, which usually means he's very likely to start tomorrow's game. What role does he play in the team? What can he bring to the team tomorrow? Why is he such a crucial player for the team?"
"I think he has been an extremely important player since we started working together again in January. He is vital to us. You can clearly see how much he has grown during this period, both in the responsibility he takes on and in his importance to the team as a whole. You can feel that remarkable improvement. He has exceptional talent, and Kobbie knows this club inside out. He is a key player for us."
"Before the upcoming international break, the team has two crucial matches: first, tomorrow's European clash against Roma, followed by this weekend's league game against Aston Villa. It's clear that league points are vital for us right now. As you look ahead to these two games, will Sunday's league match influence your starting lineup and personnel choices for tomorrow's match against Roma?"
"I think we have to focus on the game in front of us and take it one game at a time. There's ample time between these two matches for players to rest and recover. Of course, I hope everyone comes through tomorrow's game healthy. It's not about putting all our eggs in one basket for a single game and then dealing with other things on Wednesday or Thursday. We will certainly consider the upcoming schedule, but in terms of player recovery, availability, and looking after each other, I believe we have no concerns or restrictions for tomorrow night. We will give it our all."
"So tomorrow night, we will give it everything with our strongest lineup. European nights at Old Trafford have always been among the most memorable and glorious moments of my playing career. They were incredible, unforgettable experiences. Ahead of tomorrow's match, what can you say to the fans? What can the spectators in the stands expect? What will we do as a team tomorrow to win this game?"
"Honestly, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's game. I woke up this morning and came to the training ground to prepare for it. When I looked the lads in the eye, I could really feel how much they want to play well and get a good result. We have to turn this situation around, and tomorrow's game on the European stage is a perfect opportunity. It's going to be an exciting contest."
"I must especially emphasize that our fans are truly incredible. Even after another defeat to Chelsea, they kept singing and cheering throughout the second half, supporting us from start to finish with unwavering loyalty. They deserve all the praise because they always stand by us. Now we must deliver on the pitch to give them reasons to cheer and celebrate."