Michael Carrick opened Manchester United's press conference on Friday, 23 October 2026 with a 5min 27sec monologue, delivered before anyone had asked a question. According to the Guardian, the head coach cited the club's values of “humility”, “resilience” and “earning the right to win”, said he was 100% sure he could turn the season around, and declined to rule out dropping Bruno Fernandes or taking the captaincy off him before Bournemouth's visit to Old Trafford.
A speech nobody asked for
The Guardian read the address as a public message to the players after a dismal start. Carrick chose to make it after the defeat at Como and after Lisandro Martínez's criticism, a week earlier, of director of football Jason Wilcox over the club's signings.
“We need to respect what it takes to be here, respect what it takes to win, what you have to do to win. I'm not entitled to be here. Entitlement cannot be at this football club,” Carrick said. He held up Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson as examples of putting the club first, and spoke about the resilience shown after the Munich air disaster. He then added: “I'll hold that umbrella for me to get wet and for everyone else to stay dry. That's the position I'm in and it's a privileged position.” He insisted the squad was not split: “It's not divided. We just need to get back to doing what we do best and we will.”
Asked about Fernandes, he would only say: “I'll always do what's best for the football club.”
Background: Como, the captain and the numbers
United lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League league phase on 21 October. Bongda24h reported that Fernandes was substituted in the 67th minute and afterwards appeared to question the coaching staff's tactics; VnExpress quoted him telling Sky Italy that people at the club focus too much on past achievements. Bongda24h, citing ESPN, said United would review his remarks before deciding on any discipline. Martínez had earlier hit out at the hierarchy after a 2-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid, before apologising and being fined.
United have won 2 of 11 games, their poorest start since 1986, the Guardian reported. Carrick, 45, signed a 2-year contract in May after an interim spell, according to Bongda24h. The table Bongda24h published before the weekend round shows how close Sunday's opponents are:
| Pos | Team | Played | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Manchester United | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 15 | Bournemouth | 7 | -4 | 6 |
The names in the frame
| Candidate | Reported position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Howe | Wilcox's preferred choice; would seriously consider the job | The Guardian |
| Julian Nagelsmann | Favoured by head of recruitment Christopher Vivell | The Guardian; VnExpress citing Daily Mail |
| Unai Emery | Aston Villa would want about £20m in compensation | The Guardian |
| Antonio Conte | Statement says no talks have reached a final stage | Bongda24h; The Guardian |
| Fabian Hurzeler | Says he is fully focused on Brighton | Bongda24h |
VnExpress, citing the Daily Mail, reported a split between Wilcox, who wants Premier League experience, and Vivell; the Guardian said Wilcox's view may carry more weight with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Conte's statement, quoted by the Guardian, said: “Should a concrete opportunity arise, that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned and jointly consider the terms of a potential agreement.”
What comes next
The Guardian and Bongda24h, citing ESPN, both expect Carrick to be in charge when Marco Rose's Bournemouth visit at 21:00 Vietnam time on 25 October 2026. VnExpress reported that United then have a week off before facing Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa ahead of a two-week international break in November. No decision on Carrick's future has been announced.
Related: Man Utd's 4-1 defeat at Como and who United could turn to.