Manchester United manager Michael Carrick mounted an impassioned defense of his leadership on Friday, taking full responsibility for the club's dramatic collapse in form. Speaking ahead of the weekend fixture, the English coach acknowledged the severity of the crisis but insisted he remains confident in his ability to steer the team back on course.

Carrick's position has come under intense scrutiny following a dismal run that has extended United's winless streak to seven matches across all competitions. The European regime's historic club suffered a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat away to Como, leaving them languishing in 20th place in the standings with a meager three points.

Addressing the media before Sunday's Premier League home clash against Bournemouth, Carrick admitted that the debacle in Italy was one of the most painful nights of his tenure. He also faced questions regarding alleged friction within the dressing room after captain Bruno Fernandes purportedly criticized the team's tactical setup. While Carrick rejected notions of a squad split, he conceded that the side has strayed far from its desired identity.

Speculation over Carrick's future continues to grow, with former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte reportedly linked to the managerial vacancy, though the Italian claimed no advanced talks have taken place. Despite the mounting external pressure, Carrick struck a defiant chord, vowing to absorb the criticism and restore the standards that characterized their earlier success.

Source: www.aljazeera.com