"I Wouldn't Accept It!" — Michael Carrick Pre-Leeds — Press Conference: Part Two 🎙️

[0:00] Hi Michael, the Old Traffic project has been in the headlines over the last few weeks, [0:04] I just wanted to get your opinion on it, still some fans are quite hesitant about the move, [0:07] they'd like to stay because of the atmosphere, the feeling, [0:10] you've obviously played many games there yourself, [0:11] what's your opinion on the situation? [0:15] To be honest, there's not really much opinion to have, [0:19] I think as a club you're always looking to evolve, [0:23] you're always looking to improve things, [0:24] you always want to put ourselves in a better place moving forward [0:28] and future-proof the football club, whether that's training grounds, stadiums, [0:32] supporters, relationships, all connections, [0:34] so there's always work that goes on, [0:36] the stadiums obviously is a huge deal, [0:39] we love the place, great memories there, [0:43] it is what it is, sometimes it evolves and things change, [0:48] it doesn't take away from what's been there before or what's there present, [0:52] it's just trying to improve things and make things better really. [0:55] Have you seen the graphics and what not and what it could look like [0:58] and what have you thought about it, because it looks very impressive? [1:00] I'll be totally honest with you, I've not delved into that one just yet, [1:05] there'll be time to at some point, but really at this moment, [1:07] it's not something from our side of things that we're thinking about too much. [1:13] Chris? [1:14] Hi Michael, I think when these two teams last met, [1:17] you were on a beach somewhere, [1:19] does it show how much football can change in a very short period of time, [1:23] that we are where we are now, it was only in January of course, 1-1 at Ellen Road? [1:28] Yeah, it can change quick, yeah, that's just the way the game goes, [1:34] you know, you can be in or out or results can go one way, [1:37] you can go the other way and plays are fit and in form, [1:39] the game flips and that's why we can never take anything for granted [1:42] and you kind of live in the present and what's coming up next week [1:45] and keep trying to improve because I only played at Ellen Road once, [1:51] and it was a League Cup game many years ago, [1:54] so I'm not really actually taking part in the fixture an awful lot, [1:58] but watched it over the years from afar, from previous, [2:01] and to be involved in it now is pretty special. [2:04] Did you watch it in Barbados? [2:05] I watched a bit of the game, yeah. [2:08] When it finished and after the game of course, [2:10] was there any thought in your head at that stage, [2:12] what might transpire beyond that game? [2:15] No, not particularly, no, I think, obviously I watched the games [2:19] and supported from afar, but now I think, yeah, [2:23] there wasn't really any sign of it at that stage, [2:25] so I was supporting from afar and enjoying time with the family really. [2:29] Hi Michael, during the international break, [2:34] you know, your players have really spoken about your impact at the club [2:38] and have publicly kind of backed you for the job, [2:41] I mean, does that matter to you, their opinions, [2:45] and do you think it will matter in terms of the long-term as well [2:48] and the decisions that have to be made at the club? [2:50] I think the most important thing for me about all that, [2:53] I think, is that we're all pulling in the same direction, [2:57] you know, and whatever's said is going to be said, whatever, [2:59] but I think the feeling, the willingness to do things together [3:04] and to be positive, you know, to be in a good place where we're positive [3:07] and hopefully winning games, and that's the most, for me, [3:10] that's the biggest thing, really, and after that, [3:16] things will kind of get solved in one way or the other, [3:19] but I think it's nice, obviously, for the boys to feel so positive [3:23] and in a good frame of mind that they're enjoying the football, [3:26] and obviously we want that to continue as much as possible. [3:29] Have you seen a big difference in body language and demeanour over that, [3:34] over this period that you've been, from the very start, [3:37] to kind of now preparing for this game? [3:40] Is there big differences in what you're seeing on the training pitch? [3:43] I wouldn't say a big difference. I have to say, since we came in, [3:46] and I said it straight away, I think the squad, the mood, the attitude, [3:52] to want to do well for each other and actually want to do well for the club [3:57] and the supporters, I could sense that straight away. [3:59] I think the boys have particularly had a good week, going away for a few days, [4:06] and there was a freshness about the group, which was really good to see, [4:10] and a good energy and a good kind of real positive spark, really, [4:14] so we need to carry that on, but we've used the week as best as we could, [4:19] and I think we're in a good place for it. [4:21] Hi Michael, just on the input you've had on contract decisions, [4:25] obviously since you came back in, Casemiro, that announcement was made, [4:28] the Harry announcement was made, is it fair to say now that with Jaden and Tyrell, [4:32] they will be released in the summer, and with Tom Heaton, [4:36] is that going to be the same for him, or could he stay on? [4:38] I think coming to the summer, there's contracts, [4:41] there's all sorts of things that needed, obviously sorted out, [4:44] but at this stage, to that stage, it's not been sorted out just yet, [4:49] so I think we'll cross that bridge a little bit further down the line, [4:53] but it's great to have Harry kind of sorted and Clarity in that situation, [4:59] and Cassie was a little bit, it was before me really, [5:03] so I wasn't particularly involved in that, but I think as time goes, [5:06] everything ends up getting sorted out, and we're just not at that stage, [5:10] where anything else is sorted just yet. [5:11] In third place, seven points ahead of Chelsea with six, [5:17] top five gets Champions League, we know that now, [5:20] has it gone better than you hoped? I mean, obviously you wanted to get, [5:23] I don't know, you haven't done it yet, but in terms of so far, [5:26] you know, you beat Arsenal, you beat City, is it a bit of a dream maybe? [5:30] Yeah, no, they're certainly coming in, you know, with the first, [5:34] particularly the first two games and the situation, [5:39] you know, I'm pretty optimistic and pretty positive, [5:41] and always thinking about what we can do, [5:43] obviously know in the back of your mind what it can look like [5:47] and what direction it can go in, but it was literally just being positive [5:52] and attacking the next game and going with it and then seeing where we could go, [5:55] and we're still at the same stage, you know, [5:57] it's just because we've maybe got a bit of a points difference to certain teams below us, [6:03] there's a points difference to certain teams ahead of us as well, [6:07] so it depends how you look at it, but we're certainly not looking at it backwards to say [6:13] how it's been or how great it's been or whatever like that, [6:17] it's all about what's next really and finishing the season strong and [6:21] as much as we're looking, you know, obviously trying to qualify for the Champions League and what's behind us, [6:27] we're definitely still looking at how many points we can achieve moving forward as well for the teams ahead of us. [6:31] Given that you are going to play Liverpool and Chelsea in these next seven games, [6:35] in the position you're in, would it be fair to characterise it as a failure if you didn't qualify for top five now? [6:41] Strong word, aren't you? [6:44] You're an elite professional, aren't you? This is the name of the game. [6:46] We take where we are, we know, listen, as a club we want to be challenging, [6:50] we want to be challenging right at the top, there's no getting away from that, [6:52] but I think there's steps in being realistic as well and talking about where we came in and where we are now [6:59] and just keep building on that, you know, I think the boys are in a good place, [7:02] the squad's in a good place, we keep pushing forward, the club seems to be in a really good place [7:06] in terms of the supporters, really positive and enjoying it, which is important, [7:09] and we're just trying to keep pushing and keep progressing as we go. [7:11] So you'd accept six? Huh? [7:14] You'd accept six possession? I didn't say that. [7:16] You'd accept it? No, I wouldn't accept it, no. [7:19] Yeah. No, I wouldn't accept it, but it's not so much accepting it, [7:23] it's about trying to finish as high as you possibly can, you know, [7:26] and we'll see how we get on. [7:30] Hi, Michael. Champions League, obviously, the target now. [7:33] This time last year, Ruben was sat in that chair and he'd been telling us about, [7:37] in terms of the summer market, that there was a plan in place for if they did qualify [7:41] for the Champions League and a plan if they didn't. [7:43] I wondered, is that the case now and how different does it look, [7:46] depending on those two outcomes? [7:49] Yeah, listen, there's obviously work that's going into planning for the summer, [7:53] there has to be, there's no two ways around that. [7:57] But in terms of two plans, I'm not going to delve into the details too much, [8:01] I think it's pretty obvious to everyone to understand, [8:04] if you finish certain places in the league, [8:06] financially it makes a lot of difference if you don't, [8:10] so I think that's pretty obvious. [8:13] But there's certainly work going on in terms of what can be done, [8:15] trying to move forward in improving the squad and making the best of what we've got. [8:19] A follow-on from Jamie's question, Michael, you only have to look at the league table [8:25] and the results to see that you've been good for Manchester United, [8:28] but has it been good for you as well? [8:30] I mean, after the disappointment of Middlesbrough, [8:32] you've shown over the last few months that you're a manager [8:35] that can manage right at the very top of the Premier League. [8:37] Yeah, I really give it thought in that way. [8:42] I think they just keep working and keeping improving, really, and loving this place. [8:48] As I've said already, for me it's the ultimate job to be in this role, [8:52] and whatever's gone in the past, it's all experience, you learn from it, [8:56] just because you have a bit of a setback doesn't mean necessarily you can't then achieve. [9:02] It's the same way, just because you've achieved a little bit [9:04] doesn't necessarily mean you keep achieving, [9:06] so I think it's about keep pushing and learning and changing and evolving, [9:09] and experience definitely does that. [9:11] The experience for me at Middlesbrough was huge and really positive in so many ways, [9:16] to be honest, so I keep trying to take that, [9:18] as well as the experience of being here for so long. [9:20] It all comes together in that pot, really, [9:22] that you kind of draw on and try to use when you need it. [9:24] Question for Rich. [9:27] Michael, I know you said earlier that there's nothing immediate to announce on contracts, [9:30] but are you confident that Kobi Manu will sign a new deal as well, [9:33] following the season? [9:35] Obviously, we'd like to think so, yeah, and it's getting closer, [9:39] so we're positive with that, we're calm with it, but we're positive with it, [9:42] and time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we're in a good place with it. [9:46] I know you're still in Champions League as well in terms of recruitment, [9:49] how important is Champions League to maybe keep hold of some of your players? [9:52] Because I know there's been so much interest in the past, [9:54] someone like Bruno Fernandes, is it important that you're in the Champions League [9:57] so that you can reward him and keep him at the club, really? [10:00] I think Champions League just brings so many positive things, you know, [10:03] and it's where we want to be, you know, it's not getting away from that, [10:07] and that has ramifications for so many different things, whether that's players staying, if it is that, [10:12] if it's players coming in, it's financially all sorts of different things, [10:16] it's where we want to be, you know, and we need to try and get used to being in there more often. [10:23] Thanks a lot.