Carrick focused on Roma as Manchester United future questions persist

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dismissed questions about his long-term future before Tuesday’s home Champions League match against AS Roma, with his side seeking to end a nine-match winless run.

United are 17th in the Premier League, with seven points from nine games and only goal difference keeping them above the relegation zone. It is their longest sequence without a victory since 1984.

Despite defeats by Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea, the United board has decided to continue with former midfielder Carrick.

Asked about his position, Carrick said: “That has no influence on how we prepare or on the game tomorrow.

“We cannot wait for the game tomorrow. That is all I am focused on. What happens after, happens. Whatever direction it goes in …

“I love being here, I love working with the players. The struggles, the challenges, that just drives you on to want even more.”

United are also under pressure in the Champions League, where they are 21st with three points from three matches. Roma are 15th on four points.

“We know what we are capable of. We are close but need to act on it quickly,” said Carrick.

“We have two great games this week [at home to Roma and Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday]. A great opportunity to attack the game and make it a good night.”

Carrick also rejected any suggestion that Lisandro Martinez’s commitment should be questioned after the 28-year-old Argentina centre-back was sent off during United’s 2-0 defeat by Chelsea.

“Things happen in football. Sometimes you make mistakes. The commitment is not an issue,” said Carrick.

His comments come amid increasing scrutiny of the club and growing frustration over recent performances.

Captain Bruno Fernandes questioned the tactics after United were beaten 4-1 by Como last month. Martinez also criticised the club hierarchy following a 2-0 Champions League defeat away to Atletico Madrid, saying he had expected greater investment to enable the team to compete at the highest level.

Carrick said, however, that the squad remained united.

“The dressing room is a good place,” he said. “Perception is a funny thing. You can make things look different ways and think about all sorts of different things.

“The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other do not question at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions but the commitment is not a thing at all.”

Uefa Champions League fixtures

Tuesday

Shakhtar Donetsk v Sporting CP (7.45pm) Galatasaray AS v Stuttgart (7.45pm) Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich (10pm) Barcelona v Aston Villa (10pm) Bodo Glimt v LOSC Lille (10pm) Feyenoord v Inter Milan (10pm) LASK v SK Slovan Bratislava (10pm) Manchester United v AS Roma (10pm) Villarreal v Paris Saint-Germain (10pm)

Wednesday

AEK Athens v Real Madrid (7.45pm) Fenerbahce v Liverpool (7.45pm) Dortmund v Real Betis (10pm) FC Porto v Napoli (10pm) Lens v Como (10pm) PSV Eindhoven v Club Brugge (10pm) RB Leipzig v Manchester City (10pm) Slavia Prague v Arsenal (10pm) Viking v Sabah (10pm)