Michael Carrick has firmly rejected claims of a toxic culture at Manchester United as his side prepares for a key Champions League fixture in Como. The manager's comments come after former boss Erik ten Hag pointed to a damaging environment at Old Trafford.
Carrick, appointed permanently in May, was asked directly about the allegations. He stated he has seen no evidence of such toxicity since his return to the club. "No, I haven't," Carrick said. "Since I came back the players, the staff, they've given us everything that they could give." He emphasised the group's collective spirit, adding, "If you haven't got a good group, the type of performance..."
The remarks follow an interview in which ten Hag, who managed United from April 2022 to October 2024, was critical of the club's culture. He accused the board of fuelling a problematic environment. "They are continuing the toxic culture, they fuel it, they give power to the players," ten Hag said. He also cited specific disciplinary issues with high-profile players during his tenure.
Carrick now faces the immediate task of handling a severe injury crisis for Wednesday's European match. He will be without nine players for the trip to Italy, including five injured defenders and one suspended individual. This could force 19-year-old left-back Harry Amass into consideration, while Matthijs de Ligt, who has not played since last November, may be called upon to shore up an unfamiliar backline. The match itself faces a potential disruption, with a severe weather warning for lightning and rain in Como around the 5.45pm kick-off.
The context for this off-field discussion is a concerning start to the season on the pitch. Manchester United sit 13th in the Premier League standings with just seven points from seven games. Their only win in any competition this season was a 4-0 Champions League victory against Sabah, and they have managed just one clean sheet in ten matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing was a 1-1 draw at Leeds United, a result that extended their winless run in the league, with their last five games yielding zero wins, three draws and two defeats.
Bryan Mbeumo, the club's top scorer with four goals this season, netted United's equaliser at Elland Road. The team's poor form has left them already 14 points adrift of leaders Manchester City in the title race, underlining the scale of the challenge facing Carrick.
The manager's focus is now squarely on halting that slide, starting with the European fixture before attention turns back to the Premier League. United return to domestic action this Saturday, hosting 15th-placed Bournemouth at Old Trafford in their next fixture as Carrick searches for a first league win to build momentum.
The report in full is at The Guardian Football
