Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, has dismissed suggestions that his position should be questioned after a poor run of results, describing such speculation as “ridiculous”.
United travel to Fulham on Sunday looking to recover from a difficult week that saw them suffer consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Brighton.
The Red Devils were beaten at home by a 10-man Manchester City side after City were reduced to 10 players 23 minutes into the Premier League encounter.
They then suffered a shock Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, who became the first team in 50 years to overturn a two-goal deficit and win at Old Trafford.
The latest setback was met with boos from United supporters, with some fans also directing chants against the team.
However, Carrick said the pressure surrounding his position was not affecting him as he prepared for the Fulham fixture.
“I know the club, I know the role, I know what’s expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard and achieving certain things on the pitch.
“I get all that.
“In terms of future and ownership and how long I’ve got in the job, that’s totally not in my thinking. It’s ridiculous to think that way in the position I’m in, that’s just not on the radar.
“It’s two or three games. It’s two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn’t mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can’t for us.”
There has been no indication from senior figures at United that Carrick’s job is under immediate threat, with attention instead focused on the performances of several players.
Carrick guided United to 12 wins in 17 matches during the second half of last season, but they have managed only two victories from six games this campaign.
Those wins came against newly promoted Ipswich, after United had to come from behind, and Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK in the Champions League.
“It’s not a catastrophe or a disaster,” said Carrick. “It’s not the end of the world.”
The former United midfielder acknowledged that problems at Old Trafford often attract greater attention because of the size and profile of the club.
“There’s great feelings, and there’s obviously disappointments, and sometimes the smaller disappointments lead to being a little bit bigger,” he added. “It’s just part of coping and being at this great football club.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, genuinely.
“It’s the best place for me to be, in part because of the times when it’s maybe not going to plan. Sometimes they are best times to work your way through, to find out a few things and come out an awful lot stronger.”
Questions around United have also centred on recruitment, particularly the lack of options at left-back, the club’s financial situation and debt, as well as Carrick’s relative lack of managerial experience.
Carrick, however, rejected any attempt to shift blame and said the club must work collectively to address its problems.
He also revealed that Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba have a chance of recovering in time for the trip to Craven Cottage.
“It’s not a blame game,” said Carrick, who revealed Luke Shaw and new signing Carlos Baleba “have a chance” of being fit for the Craven Cottage meeting.
“We all search for things to look at and point at, or whatever reason it may be and find a blame. Blame me. No problem. I will take the responsibility.
“But it’s not about blaming people. It’s about us, it’s about us finding solutions and being better. That’s as a whole football club.”
