Overview
- A 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday extended Manchester United’s winless run to six matches and left the club 13th in the Premier League with one league win from seven games.
- Michael Carrick called the performance a “fresh start” and admitted the situation “doesn't look great” while praising the trial of a new midfield spine featuring Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
- Carrick confirmed Lisandro Martínez suffered a thigh problem at Elland Road and that Marcus Rashford has been managing a hip issue dating back to the World Cup, raising doubts over their availability for the trip to Como.
- Media reports and social posts say Carrick expects to be sacked soon but club-linked sources indicate INEOS and United have no immediate plans to dismiss him and may give him time to improve results.
- The draw increases focus on a compact run of fixtures — Como in the Champions League then Bournemouth and Chelsea in the league — which pundits call the near-term test for Carrick’s tactics and the club’s hopes of salvaging top-five qualification after the worst season start in about 40 years.