Michael Carrick: Man Utd Boss Aiming to Steer Ship Back on Course at Fulham After Back-to-Back Defeats

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick will look to halt his side’s recent slide when they travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, with pressure increasing after two consecutive defeats.

United have taken just four points from their opening four league matches, with their only victory coming against newly promoted Ipswich Town. They were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City last weekend before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Brighton in the Carabao Cup despite taking a two-goal lead.  

The Brighton loss was particularly disappointing for Carrick because United had appeared to be in control after scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Brighton eventually turned the match around, leaving United out of the competition and ending their first opportunity to challenge for silverware this season.

Carrick has accepted responsibility for the collapse but has rejected the idea that his team is facing a crisis. The United boss said the club must return to winning football quickly and insisted that the recent results do not erase the positive aspects of their performances.

The trip to Craven Cottage therefore represents an important opportunity for United to respond. Fulham have also endured a difficult start and are still searching for their first Premier League victory, although they held Liverpool to a goalless draw in their previous league match.

United have also been dealing with defensive concerns. They have conceded in each of their opening four league games, while injuries and squad availability could further complicate Carrick’s team selection for the trip to west London.

Despite the scrutiny, Carrick has remained confident that his players can turn the situation around. He has stressed that United have competed well in several matches and created opportunities to put themselves in stronger positions, even though the results have not followed consistently.

The Fulham fixture comes immediately before the international break, making the result particularly significant for the mood around Old Trafford. A positive response would give Carrick and his players something to build on, while another setback would extend the difficult run into the break.