Michael Carrick Not Fearing Sack Despite Man Utd's Worst Start In 40 Years

Carrick calls Man Utd after thrashing at Como

Cesc Fabregas led Como to a landmark 4-1 win over Manchester United in their first European campaign, marking one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

 

Michael Carrick not worried about future despite calling Man Utd's como defeat “unacceptable....”

Michael Carrick admitted Manchester United were difficult to watch in their “unacceptable” 4-1 Champions League thrashing at Como on Wednesday, but insisted he is not worried about his future as manager.

The three-time European champions were outclassed by the Italian debutants at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, with the humiliating defeat extending their winless run to seven games in all competitions.

Carrick's future has come under increasing scrutiny amid United's slump, which includes their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, but he told his press conference he does not fear for his job.

“I have not given my own position any thought,” Carrick said.

The Old Trafford chief insisted his apology to the travelling supporters at full-time carried no added significance despite mounting pressure on his position.

“I always go over to the fans regardless,” Carrick said.

“It wasn't a particularly different reason why I went over. I think it's the appreciation and the acknowledgement of what they have gone through, and they have done over a period of a few weeks now. But particularly tonight.”

United fell behind inside two minutes to a Nico Paz strike, becoming the first English side ever to concede inside the opening two minutes in two successive major European games, having gone behind after just one minute in last week's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Michael Carrick ignores every single Manchester United player as he goes to the away end to apologise at full-time. Then marches straight down the tunnel. He looks furious #mufc https://t.co/2a5JtoshaD

— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) October 21, 2026

Cesc Fabregas' side raced into a deserved 4-0 lead in northern Italy before substitute Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a stoppage-time consolation, with Carrick admitting he was alarmed by the manner of his team's collapse.

“For us to play in that way, it's not acceptable,” he said. “It wasn't a good performance at all. We wanted to build on what we brought and the performance we had at Leeds (a 1-1 draw).

“That bit of intensity, that spirit, that aggression, that real willingness to give everything. Tonight was the total opposite performance. I have to say, it was tough to watch.”

“I'm frustrate”

“There's a lot going through my mind, watching that,” he continued. 

“Genuinely, it's difficult to understand how it can be so different (to the Leeds performance).

“It shouldn't be like that. We can all play well, we can all have poor performances, but to do it in that manner is really not right at all.”

Next up for Carrick's men is a home Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday.

“I'm frustrated, more than frustrated, I'm really angry to be honest,” Carrick said.

“You've got to move on, you've got to deal with what's next and see what that looks like. At this moment in time, there's a lot to do before that next game to get the team ready because that was a difficult night for everyone tonight.”

Match Surge

It was a landmark win for Como, who are competing in their first-ever European campaign following last season's stunning fourth-place finish in Serie A under Fabregas.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder has taken the club from the second tier to the Champions League in just three years, and thrashing Manchester United marked one of the greatest nights in their modest history.

However, Fabregas refused to get carried away.

“We must have a mentality to go out and do well in every match. I understand that beating Manchester United has more value, for the media, than normal,” Fabregas said.

“But Sassuolo are a great team and will make life very difficult on Saturday (in Serie A), and we need to be at the same level, maybe even better, to win that game.

“So stay calm, humble, feet on the ground. The path does not change. This match doesn't change anything. We are at the start of everything.

“We are three years in against teams that have a lot more years than us, so we must keep going and nothing more.”

Three points on this European night at the Sinigaglia ⏹️ https://t.co/OvyDK1kcoV

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) October 21, 2026