Carrick shrugs off future talk as Arteta hails Dowman

Carrick and the pressure

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick brushed aside questions about his future after a run of results that has brought renewed scrutiny. As The Guardian reports, Carrick said it would take “a lot longer than one or two games” before he comes under pressure, insisting for him the focus is simple: “I know what’s expected… in terms of playing at a certain standard.”

United’s recent form has been rocky. The Guardian highlights a 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton after leading 2-0 at Old Trafford, followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City. The sequence also included an opening-day 2-0 defeat at Hull and a late equaliser conceded at Everton earlier in the month.

“Not a blame game”

Carrick stressed that he’s comfortable owning the team’s performances, and pushed back on the idea of a blame narrative. “It’s not a blame game… it’s about finding solutions,” he said, adding that losing doesn’t change how they plan to respond next.

He also reacted when asked whether he needs to show more emotion on the touchline, responding with a challenge about what exactly he should be doing differently.

Arteta praises Dowman

Elsewhere, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hailed Max Dowman for his “extraordinary” rise from schoolboy to a first-team squad member. The Guardian notes Dowman became the first 16-year-old since Wayne Rooney (in October 2002) to score twice for a Premier League club, netting a brace in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup win over Ipswich.

Arteta said the club continues to manage his development carefully, balancing elite demands with studies. He expects more chances to come soon—potentially even a place on the bench for Saturday’s trip to Brighton—and added that Arsenal will review the situation every six months, though his immediate future remains at the Emirates.