Manchester United suffered a 3-0 Premier League home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.
United’s winless run continued at Old Trafford on Sunday, with a second successive heavy defeat leaving players and fans frustrated. Carrick said he could feel the tension inside the stadium as his team struggled to find a way back into the contest.
“You could feel there was a bit of anxiety and tension,” Carrick said. “The boys went out with the best intentions to try and put in a performance and get a result, but it was one of those where it didn’t quite come.”
The United coach also questioned the free-kick awarded against Ayden Heaven in the build-up to one of Bournemouth’s goals, while defending young defender Leny Yoro after his costly slip.
“Leny’s slip, obviously, is unfortunate; it happens,” Carrick said. “He’s got a huge future. Leny’s a fantastic player and he’s made a mistake today and he’s feeling it, but he shouldn’t because he’s going to be a top, top player.”
Carrick insisted that the individual errors were not an excuse for the result, accepting that United had to take responsibility for their current situation.
The third goal proved particularly damaging, ending any realistic hope of a comeback as the home side struggled to respond.
“The fans were there waiting for us to get something in the game,” Carrick said. “If we’d have got one chance, one goal, they would have been right there with us, and we just couldn’t find that moment. Then the third goal is a killer goal.”
The defeat left United’s players visibly disappointed, with Carrick revealing that those he spoke to after the match were struggling to come to terms with another setback.
“They’re really disappointed and hurting in there,” he said. “It’s not a nice feeling when you see that disappointment. But it is what it is; you’ve got to accept it, and that’s the situation we’re in at the moment.”
Carrick also acknowledged the personal responsibility he feels at a club where he spent much of his playing career.
“It’s really difficult for me to have a day like this at this football club and to feel the emotion and the dynamics of what it was like today,” he said. “I feel a lot of responsibility, so it hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time.”
Despite the result, Carrick was grateful for the supporters’ response towards him, although he admitted the club had to improve both its performances and results.
“I certainly appreciate the support,” he said. “The situation is where we are: we haven’t had results and we haven’t had performances that have been good enough. There’s no hiding from it.”
Carrick declined to speculate about what happens next, but insisted he would continue to put Manchester United first.
“I’ll always do what’s best for this football club,” he said. “I love what I do, I love the position I’m in and I feel the responsibility, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
United must now regroup ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
