Michael Carrick admits Man Utd situation 'doesn't look great' but hails 'fresh start' at Leeds

Michael Carrick spoke candidly about Manchester United's current state following their 1-1 draw with Leeds, acknowledging that the situation didn't look great. However, he emphasized the importance of finding a fresh start and improving their performance. United's recent results have been dire, with just seven points from their first seven Premier League games and a solitary victory in seven matches across all competitions. The team finds themselves in the bottom half of the table, having not secured a win since August.

Carrick didn't shy away from the harsh reality of their position, but he remained confident in his squad's ability to turn things around. "We are not accepting that everything's great, but sometimes you do struggle and you have to find a way through it. I understand the situation doesn't look great, but I have no doubts we can go on a good run," he stated.

The draw against Leeds came after a challenging week for the team, particularly following Lisandro Martínez's criticism of the club hierarchy for their lack of summer spending following a Champions League loss to Atlético Madrid. Carrick highlighted the strong response from his players, noting that there was a renewed sense of commitment evident in recent days. He praised the group's collective effort, expressing that he hadn't doubted their resolve.

In terms of tactical changes, Carrick brought Harry Maguire back into the lineup to address the threat posed by Calvert-Lewin, who scored Leeds' equalizer. He also shuffled his defensive lineup, with Leny Yoro playing right-back instead of Noussair Mazraoui, who moved to central defense, and Diogo Dalot stepping in at left-back.

Despite the recent heavy loss, Carrick remained optimistic about the team's prospects. While they didn't secure a win, he emphasized that consistent effort and adherence to their principles could eventually lead to the rewards they deserve. "We are not getting too carried away because we didn't win, but if you keep doing the right things for the right reasons, you get what you deserve in the end."