Carrick backs Man Utd to emerge from rough spell ahead of Atletico test

Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick has expressed optimism about his team's prospects ahead of their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Carrick acknowledged that his side has underperformed in the Premier League this season, collecting only six points from their first six matches, their worst start since the 1986-87 season. However, he believes United is capable of overcoming this difficult period and delivering a strong performance against Atletico.

The Dutch center-back Matthijs de Ligt, who has been sidelined since November 2025 due to a back injury, returned to the traveling squad for Tuesday's crucial match. Carrick emphasized that while the team has fallen short of expectations, they understand the need to deal with setbacks and give their fans something to be proud of.

He stressed that conceding the last three goals could be the deciding factor in the game. Despite some injury concerns, including those of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and left back Luke Shaw, Carrick remains confident in his team's ability to come through the challenging period they are currently facing.