"I like these periods," Carrick said during a press conference in Madrid on 12/10. "When things are not going well, you learn who is really with you. You clearly see the individuals in the group, from the players and the squad to the entire club, who wants to stay long-term and who truly cares about this place."

The 45-year-old manager emphasized that Man Utd fans are always supportive and eager for success, meaning the team must meet those expectations. He stressed that achieving their goals requires the entire team to accept and overcome challenges, rather than avoiding them.

Coach Michael Carrick during Man Utd training at the Trafford training center, Carrington, England on 12/10/2026. Photo: Reuters

Carrick previously led Man Utd to a strong resurgence when he took charge at Old Trafford in 1/2026. Under his guidance, Man Utd won 12 of 17 matches, finishing third to return to the Champions League and fostering significant optimism before the new season.

However, the team has faced significant challenges this season. The club has won only one of their first six Premier League matches, marking their worst league start in 40 years. The Old Trafford hosts were also eliminated early from the League Cup after losing to Brighton despite leading 2-0.

Carrick acknowledges the team's struggles but views them as an inevitable part of development. "Of course, we expected more," he said. "But I understand there's always a possibility that things could go this way. After winning so many games, the team will eventually face difficulties and enter a stagnant period."

He cited Diego Simeone's long tenure at Atletico Madrid as an example of overcoming adversity. The Argentine coach has led Atletico for nearly 15 years, securing two La Liga titles and reaching two Champions League finals, yet he has also experienced many difficult moments and faced criticism.

"Building a team is a process, and you have to overcome obstacles," Carrick emphasized. "I'm sitting here with a coach who has been with the club for a very long time. I'm sure he's been through periods where things did not go according to plan."

While advocating patience, Carrick stressed the need for immediate improvements. He believes all successful teams experience difficulties, so Man Utd should not rush to change everything due to declining results. However, he acknowledged the team needs to find wins soon and fix defensive errors. According to the 45-year-old coach, recent goals conceded were avoidable but significantly impacted Man Utd's league standing, a marked difference from last season when the team rarely made similar mistakes.

Man Utd training before the match against Atletico Madrid on 12/10. Video: X / ManUtd

Carrick also drew parallels with Mikel Arteta's journey at Arsenal, who endured a challenging initial period. After winning the FA Cup in 2020, the Spanish coach and the London club finished eighth in the Premier League twice consecutively, before building a team that now competes for major titles.

Arteta's success underscores the importance of sustained effort. "It's not pleasant to admit this, but the coach of last season's Premier League champions has been there for a very long time, about seven years," Carrick said. "If I remember correctly, in their first two seasons, they only finished seventh or eighth. I think Mikel has done a phenomenal job."

Long-term success, as demonstrated by Ferguson, Simeone, and Arteta, hinges on time and trust. "It doesn't always take a lot of time, because that also depends on the circumstances," he said. "But to reach the desired position and maintain consistent, sustainable success, most teams need time to build a foundation."

Carrick provided an update on the squad ahead of the match, confirming Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are absent, Benjamin Sesko has no return date, while captain Bruno Fernandes is fit to play at the Metropolitano today. The Man Utd head coach is also considering giving Carlos Baleba — a 95 million USD new signing who impressed after coming on against Tottenham last weekend — his first start.

Hong Duy compiled