Sport with John Duggan: Michael Carrick fights for Man United position

John Duggan (0:00)

The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman.

Ciara Kelly (0:04)

On Newstalk, with Ciara.

Shane Coleman (0:08)

John Duggan, Michael Carrick has come out fighting in his bid to remain as the manager of Man U.

John Duggan (0:14)

Yes, Shane and Ciara, good evening. What else could he do, I suppose? He spoke well, I thought, today. He opened up his press conference for the Sunday match against Bournemouth in the Premier League at Old Trafford with a five and a half minute monologue. So United, without a win in seven games, humbled by Colmo in the Champions League initially during the week, prompting the captain Bruno Fernandes to publicly criticise Carrick's tactics. The manager would not be drawn on whether Fernandes will be dropped this Sunday. Incidentally, the Portuguese had his home burgled on Wednesday.

Carrick has invoked club legends in his bid to remind everyone what it's all about.

Michael Carrick (0:46)

Manchester United is always bigger and it always has been, always will be bigger than any single individual. Bigger than me, bigger than any of the players.

It always has been. I'm fortunate enough to know some players myself and play with some Ryan Giggs. Arguably one of the greatest to play for this football club.

It was never about Ryan Giggs, it was about Manchester United. Rooney was top goalscorer of this football club. His biggest thing was playing for the team, sacrificing for the team and what was good for Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson, the best manager of all time, the greatest for me and working with him. His main priority was Manchester United. Going back to Sir Matt, Sir Bobby, the resilience was beyond belief of what they showed and the way they rebuilt this football club. Again, it was based on being humble, having humility and hard work.

We can never lose that and I won't let us lose that. We've had it for a spell. I feel very strongly about that. I think it inspires me a lot to live up to that and keep driving that with the players and the group that we have. We've shown for a good period of time and that we're capable of it. At the moment, yeah, we're in a moment where it's not gone well. So we need to show what exactly what it means and, you know, respect this football club, respect what it takes to be here, respect what it takes to win, what you have to do to win. I'm not entitled to be here. Entitlement cannot be at this football club.

John Duggan (2:26)

What do you think?

Shane Coleman (2:27)

He speaks really well and I do feel sorry for him, but I think he has an impossible job. And I think the players were disgraceful the other night. I think they let him down big time. And as for his captain and his comments after, I mean, the less said about that, the better, I think.

John Duggan (2:45)

A friend of mine texted me today, he's like holding an umbrella and a cyclone.

Shane Coleman (2:49)

Yeah, it is. It really is. But for his captain to come out and criticise him, I mean, and to talk about pressing, I mean, let's face it, the captain is not the best presser of, you know, I don't think he would suit an Arsenal or a Man City, for example. I don't think he would get in their team precisely because I don't think he does that. He's a brilliant footballer. He doesn't do that kind of work. I just thought it was a bit rich for him to be talking about the team not pressing high up the pitch.

Ciara Kelly (3:16)

Was it not another symptom of the chaos within though?

Shane Coleman (3:18)

It totally is.

John Duggan (3:19)

Well, I always thought the best sub-upper to come out of Manchester was the coordination situation.

Michael Carrick (3:23)

Obviously, I'm wrong now.

Ciara Kelly (3:25)

That's a very good line. Arsenal are also in trouble and to some extent they've been dealt an injury blow.

John Duggan (3:30)

Yeah, but Kai Osaka could be out for at least six weeks after sustaining a thigh injury during the draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League this week. The 25 year old will sit out tomorrow's Premier League game against Everton in North London. He's had various injuries now in the last couple of seasons.

Shane Coleman (3:43)

He's had a string of injuries and largely around the quad area has been a real problem. I'm not surprised when I saw him go off the other night.

I thought six weeks minimum is what I actually thought. He hasn't had a proper run.