# Carrick admits to tough talks at Manchester United before Chelsea

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/carrick-admits-to-tough-talks-at-manchester-united-before-chelsea/
- Published: 2026-10-31T10:37:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T11:13:41+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Internacional
- Tags: Bruno Fernandes, Como, Manchester United, Michael Carrick

## Article

Michael Carrick has revealed that the Manchester United squad are having difficult, frank conversations about their performances, at a time when the situation has become critical. The manager survived a period of crisis after talks with the club’s hierarchy, in which chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox decided to give him the chance to reverse the team’s slide. United are currently 16th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League, after eight matches without a win.

Carrick has also held clarifying meetings with Bruno Fernandes, whom he decided to strip of the captain’s armband after the player’s criticism of the team’s tactics in the 4-1 defeat by Como. The manager stressed the importance of being honest, even when the conversations are not easy: “It’s not always a pleasant conversation between us, whether it’s between me and the players, or between me, Jason or Omar or the owners. It’s the truth, the hard truth at times, and it’s what we need to move forward. We will do whatever is necessary to move on.”

The Manchester United head coach said he encourages disagreement, both among the players and with himself, and considers it a normal part of the process. “We always do what we think will get the best out of the team. If that means speaking to certain players at certain times, that’s normal. If you ask for leaders in the dressing room and you want opinions on certain issues, there will be times when that happens, and that’s fine,” said Carrick.

With the team preparing to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Saturday, the pressure to get positive results is growing. Carrick acknowledges that honesty in these conversations is essential to the team’s recovery, but he is also clear that differing opinions should not be seen as a problem. The challenge for Carrick will be to turn those discussions into tangible improvements on the pitch, at a crucial point in the season.