Overview
- United surrendered a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to Brighton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, the first time since 1976 the club have lost at home after holding a two-goal advantage.
- Carrick has publicly accepted responsibility for the poor run, dismissed talk of imminent dismissal and told reporters that questions about his future are 'not on the radar.'
- Multiple outlets report the club hierarchy have given Carrick their complete backing, but bookmakers and pundits have shortened odds and intensified scrutiny.
- Selection for Fulham is affected by fitness: Carlos Baleba, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt travelled with the squad and could offer choices, while striker Benjamin Sesko was absent from the travelling group.
- Off-field pressure includes reports that 15-year-old academy forward JJ Gabriel wants to cancel his registration, a distraction that adds to longer-standing worries about recruitment, defensive frailties and the need for tactical change.