Carrick plays down Manchester United concerns
Michael Carrick insists Manchester United's form is not a catastrophe or a disaster as it looks to end its recent woes with a game against Fulham this weekend.
United has won just one of its opening four Premier League games this season, losing in controversial fashion against rival Manchester City last time out.
Its misery was compounded during the week after losing in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Brighton and Hove Albion, despite leading 2-0 at half-time.
Despite this poor run of form, Carrick believes it is important United does not dwell on recent defeats.
"We've got to put things into perspective, it's not a catastrophe or a disaster, it's not the end of the world," he said.
"We're not in a place where we have gone on an awful long run of horrific results.
"We've lost a couple of games recently. We feel we've started and been in all the games we've played, we're not having a real struggle all the time.
"We've done a lot of good things, the belief comes from that. The good things we've done get lost in the surrounding feelings, but they don’t get lost by us."
Fulham, meanwhile, is also under pressure, having taken just one point from its opening four league games in 2026-2027.
It managed to pick up its second win across all competitions after defeating West Ham United 3-2 in the Carabao Cup, with its only other win coming in the same competition against Wimbledon.
With both managers under some pressure, Alvaro Arbeloa anticipates a good battle at Craven Cottage.
"Every Premier League manager is under pressure, it's the same for every manager, and it's not because [of] what comes from outside, it’s because you have to be really demanding from yourself," the Spaniard said.
"All the managers, we want to win every weekend and, for sure, when you are a coach of a big team you are always under pressure.
"But it's the same for me, because I need to win games.
"I think both teams will want to win the game on Sunday, so it's going to be a good battle."
