Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has rejected suggestions that his position is under threat despite a difficult run of results, insisting that his focus remains on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.
United's recent form has come under scrutiny after a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton on Wednesday, a game in which they had led 2-0 at Old Trafford. That loss followed a 1-0 home defeat to a 10-man Manchester City side on Sunday. Earlier in the season, United were beaten 2-0 at Hull on the opening weekend and conceded a late equaliser at Everton. Ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham, Carrick was reminded that both of his predecessors, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, lost their jobs after spells of 30 and 14 months respectively.
Carrick made clear he does not believe a couple of poor results will trigger any internal pressure from United's hierarchy. "It will be a lot longer than one or two games of results," he said. "In terms of the future and ownership and how long I've got, it's totally nothing, it's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in: it's just not on the radar. It's two or three games we haven't had certain results. We've got to perform and we've got a lot of games to plan for."
The United boss said he was comfortable taking responsibility for the team's shortcomings. "That's why I'm here. It's my responsibility, I'm fine with that," he said. "It's not a blame game... Blame me, it's no problem, but it's not about blaming people. It's about finding solutions." When pressed on whether he should display more emotion on the touchline, Carrick responded bluntly: "I need to show more emotion? In what way? What do you want me to show?"
Away from results on the pitch, United are also dealing with an off-field situation involving 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel, who travelled to Barcelona on Friday for talks about a potential move. United reportedly learned of the development through media reports, despite Gabriel being registered with the club. The teenager has since told United he wants his registration cancelled so he can join another club, with Real Madrid also showing firm interest. Carrick said the priority was Gabriel's wellbeing: "The situation will work itself out, whatever way it's going to work itself out. Making sure he's OK is the important thing."
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised 16-year-old Max Dowman after his historic brace against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup, making him the first player of that age to score twice in a Premier League club match since Wayne Rooney in 2002. Arteta described Dowman's rise as "extraordinary" given the balancing act between football and schoolwork, and suggested more first-team opportunities could follow.
At Tottenham, manager Roberto De Zerbi backed record signing Sandro Tonali to settle after a slow start following his £92.5m move from Newcastle. Spurs have failed to win any of their first four league games, but De Zerbi said Tonali "doesn't feel the pressure" of his price tag and pointed to the player's similarly gradual adaptation at Milan before he became one of Europe's most coveted midfielders.
Meanwhile, Leeds manager Daniel Farke lauded Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has earned an England recall from Thomas Tuchel after scoring four goals in six appearances this season. "Dominic is like a good wine, getting better by the year," Farke said, calling the free-transfer signing one of his best pieces of business at Elland Road.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.