Carrick insists Manchester United board back him after Ten Hag points to ‘toxic culture’
Erik ten Hag has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let the team down’ during their time together at Manchester United
Michael Carrick believes Manchester United’s board continue to back him, although the manager admits he must start winning matches to keep his job. Carrick also denied there is a toxic culture at the club, after Erik ten Hag’s claim there had been when he was manager.
Carrick’s side travel to Como on Wednesday for their third Champions League game, aiming for a third victory of the season in all competitions. Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds left United 13th in the Premier League, having won only once.
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Their only other success was last month’s 4-0 home win against Sabah, of Azerbaijan, in the Champions League. Carrick was asked on Tuesday if he feels backed by the executive.
“Yeah – why wouldn’t I?” said the 45-year-old. “I’m in this position, I have a really good relationship with everybody at the club. We’ve got to win games of football and that’s what we’re striving to do.”
Despite the poor results Carrick has not sought reassurance from the hierarchy. “Certainly not. I don’t need any reassurance,” he said. “It’s pretty clear. I know the role, my responsibilities. I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fall into place.”
Ten Hag was Carrick’s predecessor from April 2022 to October 2024. During his tenure the Dutchman claimed that the executive did not support him regarding some disciplinary matters. In early 2024 Jim Ratcliffe, who had recently become the largest single minority stakeholder, assumed control of the football department.
“They are continuing the toxic culture, they fuel it, they give power to the players,” Ten Hag told the Athletic, referring to his time in charge.
Ten Hag claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo “let the team down” when the Dutchman was managing United. The forward’s second spell at the club featured him walking out twice.
“He let the team down and he let me down, because we planned with him,” said Ten Hag. He also questioned Ronaldo’s commitment, saying that after United were beaten 4-0 at Brentford in the second game of his tenure, the Portuguese refused to complete a run in training.
“I confronted him with this,” Ten Hag said. “Many times I say: ‘Ronnie, everyone wants to work for you to bring you in the right position, but if you can’t bring yourself in the box, you can’t score.”
Carrick, who became interim manager in January and was appointed permanently in May, was asked if he has encountered toxicity at United. “No, I haven’t. The players, the staff, they’ve given us everything that they could give,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with the togetherness.”
Ten Hag led United to the FA Cup in 2024, but claimed the owners then failed to meet promises made during talks that led to him agreeing a contract extension.
He said: “They promised me loyalty, they promised me backing, they promised communication, that we get aligned. We spoke about the issues. But the promises, they didn’t keep. “I said: ‘No selling Scott McTominay.’ And in the end they sold him. I got, of course, very embarrassed and disappointed.”
Carrick was asked if Ten Hag’s comments about the leadership raised any red flags. In answering he mentioned Jason Wilcox, the director of football, and the chief executive, Omar Berrada.
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“Not for me, that’s Erik’s opinion, it’s totally wrong for me to comment or get involved, it’s nothing to do with me at that stage. We’re pretty stable. There’s certain conversations we have that we’re really clear with, with Jason with Omar, the owners, and to the players. It’s really important we’re all pulling in the same direction.”
Carrick will be without nine players for Como: Leny Yoro is suspended and Ayden Heaven is ill, while Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are injured.
The absence of five frontline defenders (Yoro, Shaw, Heaven, Martínez and Dorgu) will force Carrick to field an unfamiliar backline that may include Matthijs de Ligt, who has not played since last November due to a back problem. An appearance for the 19-year-old left-back, Harry Amass, is also being considered.
There is a severe weather warning for lightning and rain in Como on Wednesday that may affect the 5.45pm kick-off.
