Carrick Defiant Amid European Pressures
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo addressed the media on Monday, November 2, 2026, ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture against AS Roma on Tuesday evening. LiveSport reported that Carrick expressed firm confidence in the club’s ability to reach the later stages of the European competition despite a rocky start that has yielded just three points from their opening three league phase matches. The Red Devils enter the contest amid a difficult domestic run, remaining winless in nine consecutive games across all competitions—their longest sequence without a victory since 1985.
Addressing reporters during the pre-match news conference, Carrick insisted that his personal future and ongoing speculation surrounding his position at Old Trafford have no bearing on the squad’s immediate European objectives. As covered by LiveSport, the 45-year-old manager emphasized that the dressing room remains entirely unified and focused on the task ahead. “Of course we are looking for the win,” Carrick said. “There is the bigger picture and it is about getting through to the later stages. One or two games you can get away with… as long as you make amends for that.”
Squad Fitness Updates and Opponent Form
United’s preparations for the European clash have been complicated by several fitness concerns within the squad. Carrick confirmed that defender Leny Yoro is unavailable due to a recurring tendon issue that requires careful management, while Luke Shaw remains sidelined. Forward Marcus Rashford is being assessed on a day-by-day basis ahead of kickoff. Despite these absences, midfielder Kobbie Mainoo offered public backing to his manager, praising Carrick for placing consistent trust in younger members of the squad since taking charge.
In contrast to Manchester United’s domestic struggles, their upcoming opponents arrive in strong sporting form. AS Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini sit third in Serie A, remaining unbeaten across their opening 10 domestic league matches. In Europe, the Italian side has accumulated four points from three games during their first Champions League campaign since 2019. Tuesday’s fixture at Old Trafford will serve as a defining test for both clubs as they jockey for position in the expanded league phase table.