Manchester United face West Ham United away in Matchweek 26 of the 2025–26 Premier League season. At the pre-match press conference, Red Devils manager Michael Carrick discussed the upcoming game and the team’s current situation.
Has the improved defensive record come down to work behind the scenes?
——It has, and it’s very pleasing. I think it makes winning games easier for us, because we don’t need to score lots of goals every week. We look like a team that can create problems, chances and score goals, so finding that balance is really important.
There’s still plenty to improve on, of course, and we’ve really focused on being better as a team without the ball. We can’t fix everything in three or four weeks or suddenly become perfect, so it’s important to understand that. But the players have responded really well to what we’ve asked, and clean sheets have been huge for us.
What kind of challenge does a team like West Ham pose? They’re fighting for survival, clearly. How is this challenge different?
——I think we have to understand the context for both teams. We’ve mapped out our plans for the players in every game so far, and it’ll be the same on Tuesday night. Different games bring different scenarios, different atmospheres, and different skills we need to show.
Teams at the bottom end are fighting for their lives, and we have plenty to play for too, so it’s balanced in that sense. It’ll come down to who handles it better, but we’re fully aware it’s going to be a really tough game.
On West Ham under Nuno
——They’ve had some changes, and I think injury issues have hit them too. They’re really good and dangerous on the transition. They have some top-quality attacking players. We’ve analysed them and know what to expect, and they’ll have done the same on us, of course. They’re a threat without a doubt, especially at home – once they get momentum, they’re dangerous. We have to be ready.
You say in nearly every press conference not to get carried away by wins or let others get too excited. You won a lot of games at Middlesbrough, with a few losses. Did you learn from that period how to stay focused on the next game, not get swept up? It’s easier said than done…
——No, it really isn’t. Look, first of all, you have to enjoy winning – that’s what we’re in it for. You have to manage that excitement, enjoy the feeling, you can’t just be flat all the time. But when it comes to preparing for the next game, you have to refocus and get ready.
You can take confidence and positivity from previous games, which helps you going into the next one. But the biggest thing is remembering what got you here – all the hard work and preparation. Winning at this level is hard, so you never take the next game for granted.
At the same time, you have to let yourself feel emotions, otherwise it all becomes a bit boring and meaningless. Winning is what we all aim for. The lads have been brilliant at it – managing the buzz after wins, getting back to training, focusing on the next one – and we have to keep that going.
You won’t be like previous managers and lose your temper with the players after a win or anything like that?
——There’s a time and a place for everything, Simon.
Bruno Fernandes said on TV that he told you last time you managed here you’d be a great manager, and he still believes it. Do you remember what he said? How does it feel to hear that?
——Yeah, I’ve known Bruno a long time, we’ve got a really good relationship. I’ve seen him occasionally even after I left the club. I know how intelligent a player he is, and how much he cares about this club. We both want the same things, in that sense.
It’s always nice when players you respect, like Bruno, speak well of you. But ultimately, the most important thing is the team, performing at our best and working together. Time will tell – it’s too early to judge how good or successful we are, we’ve got so much to do until the end of the season, then we’ll see where we are.
On team injury news
——Mason Mount probably won’t be available on Tuesday, but he’s expected back ahead of the Everton game. With Matthijs de Ligt, we’ll keep monitoring his recovery. It’s still a way off the Everton game, so we’ll keep a close eye. His recovery is positive, heading in the right direction, though – Mount is a bit closer to returning than him.
On the KOL Viral Man United fan
——I can say I’ve heard about it, yeah – my kids brought it to my attention. Professionally, it’s definitely not something we talk about as a team. I understand the context, it made me smile, but it doesn’t have an impact at the end of the day.
How do you get your forward players to understand their roles? They seem to have a lot of freedom.
——Within reason, as long as we carry out our roles properly. It’s not total free rein – the freedom depends on where you are on the pitch, to an extent. Bruno’s that type of player who understands different roles and executes them really well, and Mbmou is similar to him in that way.
Then there’s Cunha, who plays centrally at times, wide left at others. That variety really helps us. They all fit into different types of roles. Amad is probably more naturally a wide player, so his position is a bit more predictable. As long as we’re disciplined out of possession, that flexibility really helps us.
