Following United 's 3-2 comeback win, Red Devils manager Michael Carrick spoke at a press conference analyzing the match against Roma . Here are his words.
An initial comment on the victory and the team's reaction.
I'm really proud of my players; they deserve huge respect for turning the game around. The fans also played their part; they wanted to inspire us, and their support was palpable. After the first half, there was a lot of frustration, but in the locker room, I reminded the boys how important the fans were. In the second half, we maintained a positive attitude and continued to believe until the end. It's still a victory, nothing more.
How much can this success impact the team's path?
"It's certainly a very significant result. Some players experienced sensations they hadn't yet experienced at Old Trafford, and for the new arrivals, it was crucial to feel the support of the fans. Sometimes, it's not easy to figure out how to overcome difficulties. Now, however, we must stay calm and focus on the next match."
What was the main difficulty in facing Roma?
“We weren't in an easy situation. Roma are a top-notch team, they marked the entire pitch individually, and we knew it would be a tough match. We left our opponents too much space, but we gradually managed to get closer to their goal. We knew they could cause us problems, but in those moments, you have to keep believing in what you're doing, without giving in to frustration. In the first half, we could have lost confidence, especially after what happened to Bruno Fernandes on the penalty and Baleba's exit. Tielemans made a good impact coming off the bench. We wanted to give this victory to our fans.”
How important was the response from young people?
Lacey has a great future ahead of him. He's a creative player, capable of reading game situations well. I was pleased to see him also commit to the defensive phase on the right flank, because that's a key aspect. At this level, you need to be able to play both roles. The younger players were able to take advantage of the opportunity, and seeing them come in with this attitude was very satisfying.
Did you notice the banner displayed by the fans? How do you interpret their discontent?
I completely understand the fans' disappointment. I know how much the second half against Chelsea affected them, when we were playing with ten men. We have to give something back to the fans through our performances. The team and the fans must be able to transmit energy and motivation to each other.
What did you say to the team in the locker room after such a difficult first half?
“During halftime, I asked the players to maintain a more positive attitude and not give up. When things go badly, it's easy to get caught up in disappointment, but that doesn't help anyone. If we behaved like that, we might as well all go home. Instead, we need to find a solution. I reminded the lads of the history of this stadium and the extraordinary things that can happen here. I also talked about the fans, because Old Trafford has something special. I explained that a single incident would have been enough to change the course of the match, and in the end, we had more than one chance. When Bruno missed the first penalty, I didn't laugh, but it almost seemed like a twist of fate, yet another negative episode. I stayed calm, because I knew the ability of my players. Fernandes had the chance to shoot again, and it wasn't easy at all. He showed extraordinary mental strength, you have to give him credit for that.”
What's Baleba's condition? And what do you think of Cunha's performance?
I don't have any updates on Carlos at the moment. He's suffering from a hamstring problem, and the initial impressions aren't encouraging. I still don't know when he'll be able to return. We saw the quality of Tielemans, who hadn't started very well, partly because the whole team was going through a difficult period. He's still an exceptional person. Cunha showed he can score two goals at that level. During the match, he switched positions with Mbeumo, moving more into the center. I'm disappointed about the way his sending off came about. When he plays with that determination, however, it becomes really difficult to stop him.
After this victory, do you think you'll be able to sleep more peacefully?
"I don't know, it's not a given. I wouldn't call it personal relief; I'm especially happy for the players, who continue to give their all even when the results and performances don't show it. I feel responsible for the situation, but at that moment I wasn't thinking about myself. I didn't feel a sense of personal liberation."
