Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

I guess Michael Carrick couldn't say it was impossible to replicate the success his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson had at Manchester United.

Equally, it was pointless to ask for more time in the job before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa.

Yet it is a basic reality that constructing something that will last is not an overnight job.

Manchester United's current first-team squad includes players bought by six managers, all with different styles. Moulding that together is not easy, still less deciding who should stay, who should go and who should come in.

It took Ferguson three and a half years to win a trophy and six and a half to win a league title. After two games, the Scot was in charge of a team occupying a relegation place, which is where Carrick's squad might be come kick-off on Sunday.

One of Carrick's strengths is his calm demeanour and detached assessment, which is why he answered the question about emulating Ferguson the way he did.

"It's not impossible," he said. "Anything's possible.

"You've got to build, you know? And you've got to be realistic and put things in perspective as well, with the recent history we've had and where we want to get to.

"But it's not going to happen in a blink of an eye. It's not going to happen overnight. Success does take time, and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build."

The big question is: will he get it?

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Michael Carrick confirmed Carlos Baleba will be ruled out for a "number of weeks" after suffering an injury in the 3-2 win against Roma, adding that his return will not come until after the international break.

• Full-back Patrick Dorgu is "slowly getting back" after missing seven successive games through injury, with Carrick unsure whether he will be available for the weekend.

• Carrick said United's 3-2 Champions League comeback was a "one-off" and that "nothing is achieved yet" as the club aim to build momentum.

• He added: "We scored some goals from nowhere. I thought we played really well and deserved to win the game. Nothing is done yet. It is one moment in time that we need to use to move forward. We need more of it, for sure."

• Carrick said "little moments here and there have changed games" for United in recent weeks, but the squad is "showing signs of improvement".

• He added: "When you watch the [Roma] game back in the first half it wasn't so bad. There were moments there that we left ourselves short really."

• On the Red Devils celebrating Sir Alex Ferguson's 40-year anniversary since joining the club: "It's something definitely worth celebrating as a football club, 40 years this week since he came here. I am probably closer to him, and speak more to him now, than I did when I was playing. Ever since he came here, the impact he has had on me as an individual was immense."

• The United boss said he had not seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interview with a Norwegian broadcaster backing him to keep the United job, but praised his former colleague.

• He said: "I don't think actually too many people know me really. Ole is probably one of them. Ole is a fantastic man, a fantastic person and if he wants to come back into the game and get back into the game and manage, it would be great to see him back."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to Manchester United v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager – and there is symmetry to where the Old Trafford outfit are right now.

Ferguson was lured south from Aberdeen to replace Ron Atkinson, who was axed after a League Cup third-round replay hammering by Southampton at the Dell.

The Scot's tenure didn't get off to the best of starts.

United were beaten 2-0 at Oxford United, then drew 0-0 at Norwich. It left them 21st in the table, one point off the bottom.

It is the last time the club has been in the relegation zone at such an advanced part of the campaign.

Given they play last in this weekend's match round, there is a pretty good chance United will be in the bottom three again when they kick-off against Aston Villa. They could even be bottom.

After that Norwich game, no-one could have imagined the success Ferguson would have.

But it took time. Three and a half years to the first trophy – the 1990 FA Cup – and three years after that for a league title, after throwing away the 1991-92 version by losing three times in a week and gifting the championship to Leeds United.

We live in very different times in terms of media landscape and reaction. Would Ferguson have been afforded the same time to sort United out if he were starting now? I doubt it.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

At half-time on Tuesday, with Manchester United two goals down and the atmosphere at Old Trafford mutinous, Michael Carrick's job prospects were not great.

But the eventual 3-2 win lifted some of the gloom and proved United's players were still playing for their boss.

There is a long road ahead, though.

United could be in the relegation zone by the time they kick off against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Carrick's men have not won successive games all season. It was around the September international break they last were unbeaten in two games.

It is not good enough. For all the explanations and caveats, Carrick understands that.

It will be interesting to hear what he says about the situation to the media when he speaks to us later. Carrick should also update around the severity of Carlos Baleba's hamstring injury.

Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Carrick's news conference.

Image source, Getty Images

On this day 40 years ago, Manchester United appointed Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rene Meulensteen, who served as first team coach at the club between 2007 and 2013, says working under the Scotsman was the best time of his coaching career.

Meulensteen told BBC Radio Manchester: "It was an incredible time. It shows great leadership and great management to be able to bring a club from where they were to what he made it. He's definitely the best manager that the English game has seen.

"I was fortunate to work with him in the last seven years of his managerial career at Manchester United where I felt that he was really at the peak of his management style because he mastered the art of delegation without losing control.

"There was not a day at Carrington or at Old Trafford that we didn't laugh together. He loved to crack a joke. He could take the mickey out of us, we could take the mickey out of him. He absolutely loved it.

"It was the best time of my coaching career for sure because to work with such a talented squad with so many great players but with such a manager, that was so open and also flexible in his thinking, in terms of 'how can we evolve, still get better?' Until the last day that he retired, he had that mentality."

Listen to the full chat with Meulensteen, who also talks about Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement, on BBC Sounds

Former France coach Didier Deschamps has told Manchester United he is not interested in becoming the club's manager, with current boss Michael Carrick's future in doubt. (Mirror), external

There is still support among the Manchester United hierarchy for Carrick, with Sunday's game against Aston Villa seen as key. (Sky Sports), external

Arsenal and Manchester United are tracking Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier, 27. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are tracking Eintracht Frankfurt and Germany defender Nnamdi Collins, 22. (Fussball News - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Premier League winner Kasper Schmeichel has urged Manchester United fans to "get on the bandwagon a little bit" but also to be "very tentative" after Michael Carrick's side overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Roma in the Champions League.

A "negative atmosphere" was set before kick-off at Old Trafford when green tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch, green and gold balloons were released as the teams came out, and songs were chanted in protest of the club's ownership.

"I would still be very tentative if I was them, particularly as Manchester United's next two games are against Aston Villa and Liverpool," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "That is a tough ask, even if you are on a good run.

"But if you are going to force a change, you have to get on the bandwagon a little bit to promote the positivity, so I liked the fact the fans stayed and didn't go home frustrated at half-time.

"I completely get they want to protest, but that just doesn't help the players. If they want their players to do well, which I very much believe they do, it is about backing the team as they did in the second half.

"When it is going wrong, I would urge the fans not to get negative straightaway. It is important to put things into context sometimes, such as understanding that Aston Villa are a very good side.

"Things can go wrong in games but it is all about the reaction. It is the players' responsibility to give the fans something to cheer about. If they do that, the supporters will respond as they did against Roma."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot accepts these are "really tough" times at Old Trafford.

Tuesday night's 3-2 comeback win against Roma ended a run of nine games without a victory - United's longest sequence since 1988-89.

Although the result pushed Michael Carrick's side back up the Champions League table, they remain in dire straits in the Premier League and could be bottom of the table before they face Aston Villa on Sunday.

For Dalot, a veteran of over 250 games for the club since his arrival from Porto in 2018, the story is too familiar.

"These moments are really tough, I'm not going to lie," he said.

"Unfortunately, I've had a few moments like this in the past. The only way for us to get out is by winning football games. That's the only way you can get confidence.

"Nights like this [comeback against Roma] give you an extra confidence, that make you believe you can create these moments, not just for us, but for the fans.

"It's important from everyone around the club the feeling that we care. I think we've showed, especially in the second 45 minutes, that we really want to turn this around."

As United trailed 2-0 so early in the contest, it seemed inevitable it would be Carrick's last game in charge.

The stirring fightback has bought the United head coach some time, but everyone is aware how precarious the position is.

The pressure is huge. And as Dalot points out, it is not just on the man in charge.

"It's not just the manager, everyone is under pressure," the Portugal international added.

"When you don't win games for this football club, everyone involved gets under pressure. We felt it, obviously, because we're not near good enough to what we should have done.

"Nights like this can change momentum. They can change seasons. I think this win is going to give us confidence for the next games."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Unai Emery "wouldn't want" to leave Aston Villa for Manchester United at the moment.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "Why would Unai Emery want to? He is a brilliant manager and coach, all about detail.

"Why would he want to touch them at this moment in time?

"It's not to say he couldn't achieve something there, of course he could.

"They've been through so many managers and coaches. When he see's that, I don't necessarily want to call it a failure, but, failure from high-profile guys in the game, with what he's achieved at Villa, why would he want to go there?"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all scouting 21-year-old Galatasaray and Russia midfielder Aleksey Batrakov. (Teamtalk), external

Aston Villa are in advanced talks with manager Unai Emery over a new contract, following recent links with Manchester United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Como's 21-year-old defender Jacobo Ramon is also on Manchester United's radar, but they could face competition from Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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"Hopefully this is the catalyst to show Manchester United what happens when you play with energy, spark, desire and passion," said Premier League winner Kasper Schmeichel after Michael Carrick's side staged a second-half comeback against Roma in the Champions League.

The 3-2 win at Old Trafford, thanks to Bruno Fernandes' penalty and Matheus Cunha's brace, brought an end to the club's nine-game winless run in all competitions.

"This is what we were talking about them needing," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "They needed a spark.

"Don't get me wrong, I do think they got a bit lucky because I'm not sure it was a penalty and then they got the retake, but you need that luck sometimes because that was the spark to set it all off.

"One bright spark in these dark periods has been Matheus Cunha. He is a boyhood Manchester United fan and you can tell how much it means to him. He did get sent off, but at least he is doing something.

"I said at half-time that if you're going to go down, you've got to go down fighting. You can accept losing if you've given absolutely everything, but they hadn't done in that first half.

"The great thing about it for Michael Carrick is that he now has something to refer to. Now, if there is a difficult situation, he can say: 'Look, I know what you can do when you apply yourselves in the right manner'.

"Once you add good football players with heart and application, you're going to get results."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds here

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Manchester United attacker Matheus Cunha will not face further punishment after he came back out to the pitch to celebrate at the end of Tuesday's dramatic 3-2 win over Roma, despite having been sent off late on.

Cunha was booked for his celebrations after scoring a late winner to complete the comeback from 2-0 down before being given a second yellow card in stoppage time for a reckless sliding challenge.

The Brazil international took his time leaving the field and returned soon after the final whistle to join his team-mates in celebrating the much-needed victory. United boss Michael Carrick then appeared to usher Cunha away and encourage him to return down the tunnel.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules state a player or team official who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.

However, a Uefa spokesperson has since said: "The Uefa official reports did not mention anything about this incident. Therefore the automatic one-match ban following two yellow cards should not be extended for this reason. We are not investigating further this matter."

This means Cunha will serve the mandatory one-game ban for the red card he received during the game in United's next Champions League match against Sporting on 25 November.

We asked for your views after Manchester United's Champions league victory over Roma.

Here are some of your comments:

Christine: I had to wipe my eyes to make sure I was watching Manchester United in the second half - they were fantastic and I don't say that lightly. I do not know what Carrick said at half time, that would be his best ever speech and that second half has saved him his job for now. Everyone gave their all and Cunha's sending of was a red-blooded moment of passion and desire that we haven't seen for a while. Keep it up.

Viegas: Well it was like the good old days of United. In the second half we were a different team. Hopefully this will help ignite the fire for the rest of the season. We know the passion is there now. We just need to see more of this.

Chris: Kobbie's energy, skill and drive inspired the others. Tielemans improved the link-up possession aspect and Cunha nicked the ball time and again. Lacey worried them and his assist for Cunha showed real class. With Bruno quite subdued others raised their game.

Steve: Why can't they show that effort for a full game? They've got far more threat when they play at a quick pace.

Mark T: Definitely a tale of two halves, we were outstandingly bad first half and outstandingly great in the second. What or who made the difference is anybody's guess, but the main question is why can't we play like we did in the second half all the time?

Antonypo: Hopefully Carrick gave them an almighty mouthful at half time... which they deserved. Must continue where they left off on Sunday or all is in vain.

Emanuel: Delighted Carrick got to experience that. I fear it won't save his job, though.

Ibrahim: The first half was a disunited team but the second half reminds me of the reason I have been a lifelong United supporter. Even at 0-2 down I still had that faint believe that a comeback is possible. Proud of the team tonight and I hope we take this run forward.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has admitted it was pre-planned for him to push high on Tuesday night, even though it led directly to Roma's opening goal in the 3-2 Champions League thriller at Old Trafford.

Dalot was in the visitors' half, higher up the pitch than Bruno Fernandes in the left-sided attacking position, when Kobbie Mainoo lost the ball close to the halfway line.

It took just two passes before the cross-field delivery that picked out Matias Soule completely unmarked in the space Dalot was expected to be occupying.

The ease of Roma's goal was viewed as being down to inherent weaknesses in United's structure.

But Dalot has revealed the plan had always been to attack the visitors.

"Yes, obviously," he said when asked if head coach Michael Carrick had asked him to push high at the start of the game. "We knew they were going to play man-to-man.

"But that requires some things we need to avoid, especially losing balls in the middle, because we knew we're going to be too open.

"After the second goal, we tried to fix it straight away. We balanced the game a little bit more and kept ourselves in it, and in the second half we came right."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says Manchester United's ability to come from two goals down to beat Roma shows "the players are fighting for the manager".

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live following the full-time whistle, Warnock said: "The narrative for Michael Carrick is absolutely perfect because Manchester United have gone in as a vulnerable team and a team lacking in confidence, they have gone 2-0 down and what was the reaction?

"We have seen the reaction now, so we know it is in there. The team are fighting for the manager and they are fighting to turn their results around.

"You have to fight and show something. When you show fight and start to run for each other, you get more confident in each other and you start to believe that you can do something.

"The crowd turned it up a notch in the second half as soon as that first goal went in and helped their team believe they could get something out of it.

"It was a perfect night for Carrick."

Read more punditry analysis on Man Utd's comeback victory here