Michael Carrick exclusive: Manchester United head coach opens up about the challenge he faces at Old Trafford - 'I love the responsibility'

Michael Carrick has said there is nothing "hard" about being head coach of Manchester United, insisting to TNT Sports that he continues to enjoy the role and "love the responsibility" of it, despite the team’s recent struggles.

'Absolutely no issue with Bruno,' says Carrick

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carrick was appointed permanent head coach at Old Trafford at the end of last season after an impressive interim period in charge, overseeing United's return to UEFA Champions League football, but huge doubts over his future already loom after a poor start to the season.

The Red Devils are on their longest winless streak since the 2015/16 season after failing to triumph in any of their last eight games across all competitions, while their last two matches have ended in humiliating defeats against Como and Bournemouth.

Despite mounting pressure, Carrick will take charge of United’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max, and the former midfielder is grateful to remain in a position where he can have an impact on the club’s fortunes.

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"Honestly, there's not a hardest thing about it," Carrick told TNT Sports when asked about the challenges faced in the dugout at Old Trafford.

"It's a great position to be in. I love being in this position, I love the responsibility and having an element of control of trying to make a difference, and trying to guide this club in a certain direction.

"I still enjoy it. I know people question that at times, but I certainly do enjoy it. I still enjoyed this week as much as ever because that's when we've got to dig deep as a group and see sticking together as part of it.

"It doesn’t change the motivation, and it doesn't change what we want to achieve. We can still be close to flipping things and moving forward."

Carrick's seemingly unstable position was made even more precarious after the 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League when his captain Bruno Fernandes questioned his tactics for the fixture.

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man," Fernandes told TNT Sports. "Sometimes, when you give too much of the ball to these teams, they get confidence."

Carrick then left the midfielder on the bench for the duration of the 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, but the pair have reportedly held positive talks this week, and the United boss told reporters on Thursday that Fernandes remains "fully committed" - and will keep the captain's armband.

The Englishman confirmed to TNT Sports that he has "absolutely no issues with Bruno", adding: "We move forward, we look forward to the game. He’s committed as ever to this football club, he has been for a long period of time, as I have done.

"Between us and the players and the staff, we’ve got to pull through this, and when we have done, we’ll be stronger for it."

United's woeful start to the campaign has left them just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, with only seven points after eight games.

They already find themselves 14 points adrift of Arsenal and Manchester City at the summit of the table.

But Carrick remains confident in his credentials, not relying on assurances from above, and by blocking out external noise, he is able to maintain a "tunnel vision" on the task at hand.

"I don't need any assurances for anything, really," the 45-year-old said.

"I totally understand what’s needed here, so I don’t need any assurances from anybody. I’m just focused on winning games, and winning this one on Saturday."

He added: "I don’t look at anything or read anything or take literally anything in; it’s just pure focus on what we need to do here.

"I know that, I know what this role is, I know what the club needs. When you're in it, it's tunnel vision in terms of constantly trying to improve things.

"We know it's not been good enough… It’s always something that can flip, and we're the ones that control that.

"That's the beauty of it, for me. We’re in control of it, we can do something about it. That's what we're trying to do."

What Carrick thought about fan reception

Despite Carrick’s future seemingly hanging by a thread, he remains a popular figure at United after his 12-year playing career at Old Trafford, with frustration from supporters directed at other areas of the club.

There were chants against the hierarchy during the defeat by Bournemouth, while fans sang Carrick’s name after the final whistle before immediately booing the players when the head coach disappeared from view down the tunnel.

Carrick said he did not notice this reaction at the time, but is grateful for the support being shown to him and the connection he shares with the United faithful.

"I appreciate the reception, and what that moment brought between us," he said.

"But I say it all along, it's really not about me. It's about the team, it's about the club, and it's about the supporters, as well. We're all in it together, and we have to be in it together."

He added: "I care a lot about the supporters, I really do. If there's anything I care about from outside these walls, it’s what the supporters are thinking and how they feel, and that's all that matters to me.

"The emotion and the atmosphere in the stadium on Sunday was a little bit different if we're honest, and it took a little bit of time to digest and of how the game finished.

"To have that connection with the supporters means a lot to me. I'm connected with the team, as well, and this group of players, and we're all in together.

"We're all hungry and desperate, we understand there will be things talked about. I'm not interested in that. I'm just interested in making us better."

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