Carrick Downplays Setbacks: 'It's Just a Week or Two Where Things Aren't Going Our Way, We'll Get Through It'

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has attributed the club's recent poor run of form to an inevitable slump that was bound to occur at some point in the season. He emphasized that the players must now overcome this period as a collective to return to winning ways. The Red Devils endured a dismal start to their campaign, culminating in a particularly tough week. They suffered a home defeat in the Manchester derby against Manchester City, despite playing with a man advantage for over an hour, and were then knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton at Old Trafford after the Seagulls staged a 3-2 comeback. Carrick's side is set to visit Fulham in London on Sunday for their final match of the current round.

“Things don't always go perfectly according to plan, but every successful team goes through these difficult periods that they have to navigate. We are constantly learning, both individually and as a group. We had a very strong spell at the end of last season, but the situation is different now. What's important is how you deal with it, how you react, and how you stay focused. You have to keep doing the right things and remain composed. This is just a phase. It's been a week or two where results haven't gone our way, a few matches where everything was decided by fine margins. We will get through this,” Carrick stated.

Carrick indicated that there's a possibility Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba could be included in the squad for the upcoming match. The left-back has missed the team's last few games, though the nature of his issues remains unclear. The midfielder, who was the Red Devils' most expensive summer signing, has yet to make his debut after arriving at the club injured following his transfer from Brighton.

“There's a slight chance for both of them. It's not 100 percent, but there's an opportunity. For Luke Shaw, it's been a short period of absence, and everything depends on his preparation for the match. We'll see what his condition is like over the weekend,” Carrick concluded.