Casemiro & Šeško Update — Michael Carrick Pre-Nottingham Forest — Press Conference 🎙️

[0:00] Presuming he's fit, it'll be an emotional day for Casemiro on Sunday. [0:05] Is he going to be available and what can you say about him as he says goodbye to Old Trafford? [0:09] Yeah, Cas is available. [0:14] I can speak for him since I've been here and met him, obviously, and worked with him. [0:20] I think he's been fantastic for us, for me personally, for us as a group. [0:24] I think what he's given us, I've said it before, I think the clarity helps of knowing the situation [0:29] for him and for us, for him to get his head in the place everywhere. [0:35] He gave absolutely everything in every aspect, knowing that it was going to come to an end at the end of the season. [0:43] Like I've said before, it's credit to him for the way he's gone about that. [0:48] Just because it's coming to the end and there's clarity with it, it's easy to go the other way as well. [0:54] But he's fully invested, he's fully supported us as the staff [0:58] and the performances that he's given. [1:00] So he's obviously had some ups and downs, like we all have in football over the years, [1:07] but to finish so strongly and to see that connection that he's got with the supporters is really good to see. [1:13] It doesn't sound like it's going to be your Old Trafford farewell on Sunday. [1:17] I know you're sick of us asking about your future, but we kind of feel like we have to. [1:22] Is the end in sight? Is there clarity coming? [1:25] I can't blame you for asking, to be honest. [1:29] Well, yeah, there's two games to go, right? [1:31] So we knew, apart from that, there's not much else I can say is probably what you'd expect. [1:38] I think the situation is pretty clear for us all. [1:42] So same as in terms of preparing for the game, really, planning for that. [1:47] And it doesn't change what I do this week. [1:50] Michael, again, I appreciate you can't talk too much into the future. [1:56] But what has it meant to you on a personal level to be leading this club and, you know, [2:02] potentially to continue leading the players and this team? [2:05] Because it feels like maybe something we've learned from you being in charge. [2:08] It takes a unique individual to handle all the pressures inside and outside the club. [2:14] It's a unique football club, special, special football club, you know. [2:17] And, yeah, I'm immensely proud to have come back and to be part of it, to help as a supporter, [2:27] as an ex-player and an ex-employee is one thing, but as a pure supporter and caring about the club [2:32] so much to be in a position to come back and help and for us as a group to move forward, [2:39] it was important, I think, and to make the big step to get back into the Champions League is good. [2:48] It's good and we're happy with the work that we've done so far. [2:52] Michael, same kind of thing. The fans are obviously eager to know what's happening as well. [3:00] It's kind of customary for the manager to speak to them from the pitch after the final game. [3:06] Will you be doing that? [3:09] I think that's important, regardless of the situation. [3:12] I think it's important because the supporters are a massive part of this club and we thank them [3:18] and I certainly thank them for the season and the support and certainly in the last four months [3:25] however long it's been for me personally. So I know what you're getting at in terms of the future [3:31] and what that brings, but I think regardless of that, I think for what we've gone through together so far [3:37] and that connection and I felt that, the players have felt that and seeing it in talks and individual [3:42] players have felt it, but as a group we've felt it. So I think it's important that we have that anyway [3:48] and certainly for us to thank the fans and for me to thank the fans for that is important. [3:52] Michael, obviously you mentioned about Cassie Miro being okay, is Ben you and Sesco all right? [3:58] Have you got any other issues? Ben's not as straightforward as Cassie, he's still not 100% [4:09] with the problem they've already had. So yeah, apart from that we're all right with it. [4:17] Michael, you've spent the last four months now working with this group, I mean whatever happens [4:23] with your future, what do you think this team can achieve over the next couple of years? What should [4:28] they be aiming for? You've always got to aim upwards for sure and that's just the beauty of football [4:37] and the beauty of competition you know, to achieve something, to then back it up, to then improve on [4:42] things. I think that's always the challenge and for the players, for the squad, for the whole group, [4:50] for the football club you know, we want to keep moving in a positive way and in the right direction [4:55] and the closer you get to the top obviously the less room for progress, but progress is certainly [5:04] what needs to be aimed for. On the same theme, apologies in advance, but how much involvement do [5:14] you have in what the future might look like when you're talking to contract talks and things like that? [5:18] Are you getting involved in that or is your focus on the football? [5:21] The future for us in squad? Yeah. [5:24] At least in the future for me, it's going to be decided pretty soon, you know, we knew that was [5:29] going to be towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing's changed, [5:34] there's no big swing on that, that is what it is, you know, and obviously whatever's beyond that [5:39] is pretty close around the corner anyway. [5:42] Catherine? [5:44] So Ian? [5:53] Yeah, sorry Michael, just a quick one on Stephen Holland because obviously you've been in the [6:01] spotlight a lot, I just wondered what sort of impact he's had, a lot of people have mentioned [6:05] him obviously because he's quite high profile with his England background, what's sort of been his [6:10] value to the project since you've been here? [6:11] Yeah, Steve's been fantastic, he's got an awful lot of experience, you know, and I've seen pretty [6:20] much everything before and gone through it in some good times and in some more challenging times, [6:26] so he's a very wise man Steve and says things that really are important at the right time [6:36] and I think just general calmness and composure around and for everyone, for me and for my staff [6:42] and for the players as well and I think all the staff, the dynamics of bringing, like I've said [6:48] it before, of bringing something a little bit different, Steve obviously is in that role where [6:53] he's got the experience for us and for us to lean on and there's absolutely no shame in that at all.