LONDON: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick saw the 1-1 draw against Leeds United as a new beginning for his team, despite their ongoing winless streak.
United failed to end their winless run after Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised in the second half, cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal in the Premier League (EPL) at Elland Road last night.
The result means United have now failed to win in six consecutive matches across all competitions, adding to the pressure on Carrick, who is already facing criticism.
However, the manager saw positive developments in his team’s performance, five days after a 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League that prompted Lisandro Martinez to criticize the club’s management over a lack of investment in the summer transfer window.
“We don’t want to get too carried away because we didn’t win this game. However, I think if we continue to do the right things for the right reasons, eventually we will get the results we deserve.
“To be honest, today feels like a new beginning in terms of accepting the current situation and trying to change it,” said Carrick.
He also praised the players’ commitment, which he described as showing their determination to rise up and help each other for the sake of the team.
“It’s clear that the players are so eager to do their best for each other and they appreciate the opportunity to represent this club. I’ve seen real determination among the players over the past few days,” he said.
United now travel to Como early Thursday morning, looking for their first win since their Champions League opener against Sabah last month, before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The club are currently in 13th place in the league, with their lowest winning record at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season.
Carrick admitted he was aware that United’s current position was far from satisfactory, but believed his team could still turn things around.
“We don’t think everything is perfect. I’m realistic about the situation.
“There are times when we struggle and need to find a way to overcome it.
“I understand that this situation does not look very good from a certain perspective, but I do not doubt our ability to record a string of positive results,” he said.