Carrick points blame for Man Utd struggles and responds to sack question

Steadfast Michael Carrick has told fans to 'blame me' for Manchester United's dismal start to the season. The Red Devils have only mustered four points from their opening four Premier League games ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham.

Carrick's side were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle in midweek. United threw away an early two-goal lead and lost 3-2 at home to Brighton, compounding their misery after a controversial defeat to rivals City in the Manchester derby four days prior.

Facing questions over his position already, Carrick came out firing during his pre-match press conference and made it clear that he's happy to take the flack. "It's my responsibility, I'm fine with that," the United manager said.

"It's not a blame game. We always search for things to look at and find the blame, sometimes it gets too much of wanting to find the blame. Blame me, it's no problem, but it's not about blaming people. It's about finding solutions. It's a whole collective thing.

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"It's about what you focus on really. I'm totally happy taking responsibility - no problem with that. I know where we want to get to and we want to get there fast.

Carrick also labelled the speculation over his future 'ridiculous', shooting down suggestions that he needs results quickly to avoid the sack. "I think that'll be a lot longer than one or two games of results," he continued.

"I understand, first of all, taking away all that, that's irrelevant for me. I know the club, I know the role, I know what's expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard, playing at a certain level, achieving certain things on the pitch, so I get all that.

"In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got in the job, I'm thinking one part of it, like how long have I got, it's ridiculous to think that way in a position that I'm in, that's just not on the radar.

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"I understand what we need to achieve and where we need to be as a football club for the owners, what they expect, for the supporters as much as anything, I get all that.

"It's two or three games that we haven't had certain results, and two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn't mean that the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can't for us, because we've got to perform."

Carrick also provided updates on Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba, saying that both players have a 'chance' to feature at Craven Cottage. Baleba is yet to make his debut for the Red Devils since moving to Old Trafford in August for £70million because of an ankle injury.

"Not totally 100 per cent on either," Carrick explained. "It is really short term [with Shaw] but it is just working towards the game."