Man Utd: Michael Carrick Defends Players After Gary's Comments
September 21, 2026 ·
Gary Neville criticized Manchester United's performance, calling it 'pathetic', while manager Michael Carrick defended his players after their draw against Fulham.
Man Utd: Michael Carrick Defends Players After Gary's Comments
According to Bbc.
Background
Michael Carrick, as manager of Manchester United, is now under the spotlight after a disappointing draw against Fulham. He will have to find a way to motivate players and deal with criticism, especially after scathing comments from former club captain Gary Neville. It is hoped that Carrick can change the direction of the team and provide a better performance in the Premier League.
Why this is important
Gary Neville's sharp criticism of Manchester United's performance reflects greater concerns among fans about the team's performance in the Premier League. The draw against Fulham showed that despite the potential, the team is still struggling to show the consistency and passion required to compete at the highest level. With this result, the pressure on manager Michael Carrick to improve the situation is increasing.
Main Points
- Man Utd: Michael Carrick Defends Players After Gary's Comments.
- Gary Neville criticized Manchester United's performance, calling it 'pathetic', while manager Michael Carrick defended his players after their draw against Fulham.
- Man Utd: Michael Carrick defends players after Gary Neville comments - BBC Sport.
Gary Neville couldn't hold back after Lisandro Martinez's own goal put Fulham ahead just over an hour into their match against Manchester United, who looked underpowered. As a former United captain, Neville does not shy away from sharp criticism, and this time he said, "I've been watching Manchester United since the age of five and that was the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen," adding, "It was so sad. I've never seen so little effort. What was [Michael] Carrick supposed to think?"
In this context, Neville was part of the United team that lost 3-1 to Fulham in October 2003. In recent years, they have also suffered heavy defeats of 7-0 at Liverpool and 6-1 at home, against Tottenham and Manchester City. Neville's comments came after United endured a terrible 15 minutes from the start of the second half until Martinez's fateful moment, before they managed to score an equalizer through Matheus Cunha's deflected shot in the 89th minute.
Neville's reaction felt extreme, but in a week where United lost the Manchester derby to City down to 10 men midway through the first half, then lost to Brighton at home after leading by two goals for the first time in more than 50 years, frustration among fans was high. The fitness issue was first raised during pre-season when midfielder Youri Tielemans revealed that United were not prioritizing running training. While Cunha did not completely agree with Neville in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, his comments will add to the debate surrounding the issue. "At the start of the second half, they put in more energy than us," said the Brazilian. "We cannot accept this."
Not surprisingly, Carrick has a different view. He used the way his team attempted to put pressure on the home side late in the match, leading to Cunha's equaliser, as evidence that his squad was fit enough. "The way we finished the game, actually, it didn't look like that. We finished the game very strong and kept pressing. I don't think that was a problem," he said.
Cunha also mentioned the "noise" around United when he spoke to BBC Match of the Day. Neville is a significant part of that "voice," both directly and through his growing media empire. Carrick previously said he could ignore it. However, it couldn't have been that easy when United fans - who usually support their team amidst disappointment - greeted Carrick's decision to withdraw popular England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo 11 minutes from the end with cheers of displeasure. "There's always a certain reaction when you make a change," Carrick said. "I spoke to Kobbie after the game and he was fine. I understand at times when we were trying to catch up, everyone was a bit emotional. The fans really wanted us to do the right thing."
"But I'm not taking any negativity or offense from it. I think we just need to keep doing the right things to get back into the game. The fans were amazing today, I have to say, throughout the game, and kept their backs. At least we gave them a little something at the end to take away, and I'm sure there will be more to come." And that is the key point. A draw at Fulham was "something small" considering the home side started bottom of the Premier League table - and have now swapped places with Tottenham. Five points from five matches leaves United in 12th place, 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester City. £70m summer signing Carlos Baleba is yet to make his debut, and long-term injured Matthijs de Ligt is not involved at all, although both are part of the squad that travels south on Saturday. Striker Benjamin Sesko also missed the match after suffering a recurrence of the shin problem against Brighton which had bothered him for more than three months before undergoing a recovery programme.
Carrick said "at this time" the extent of the damage remains unknown. All of this would have felt disappointing if not for the ticket issues sparked by a tightening on ticket sales that has left many fans upset. On Wednesday, United will release their financial results for the full year to June 30, where they will reveal the size of their current debt. Then there is the general debate about the wisdom of the new stadium, which is expected to cost more than £2 billion, with planning permission likely to be applied for with Old Trafford's masterplan aimed at late 2027 or early 2028. Unsurprisingly, having taken United back to the Champions League unexpectedly last season, Carrick is overseeing a club where supporters are feeling the pinch, even if he doesn't realize it. "It's still a big season ahead," he said. "It's a long season and you're going to have tough times throughout the season. That's part of the journey. It's not a sprint, it's a long-term effort. I'm not taking this lightly, you know. We want more points, so I'm not saying everything is fine. I understand the frustration. We want to do better and do other things. But disappointment is not what we have within the club and within the group. The players didn't feel that way on the pitch today and that's what will take us through the season without a doubt.
What happened next
Manchester United is expected to immediately carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the team's performance ahead of the next match in the Premier League. A focus on fitness and tactics will be key to improving results in the remainder of the season. With fans increasingly frustrated, every game going forward will be crucial to rebuilding confidence and improving what has looked like a bleak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the goal for Manchester United in the match against Fulham?
The equalizing goal for Manchester United was scored by Matheus Cunha in the 89th minute.
What impact will the result of this match have on Manchester United's position in the Premier League table?
The result of this match added to frustration among fans, especially after the previous defeat, but there was no specific mention of its impact on their position in the table.
When is the next match for Manchester United?
Information about the next match for Manchester United is not mentioned in the article.
What does Gary Neville say about Manchester United's performance?
Gary Neville criticized Manchester United's performance, calling it the worst 15 minutes he had ever seen and declaring the team's effort pathetic.
What did Matheus Cunha say about the team's performance in the second half?
Matheus Cunha stated that at the start of the second half, the opposing team put in more energy than Manchester United.