Michael Carrick is relishing his first visit to Elland Road as Manchester United head coach, describing Sunday's Premier League clash with Leeds United as a 'very tough game'. The 45-year-old spoke to MUTV at Carrington on Friday, praising the work of Leeds boss Daniel Farke and the unique challenge of the away fixture.
Carrick noted Leeds had a difficult start last season but have grown into a consistent and dangerous side under Farke, pointing to their recent performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. "I’m looking forward to it immensely," Carrick said. "The boys have trained and are in really good spirits." He added that a trip to Elland Road brings everything out in a player and stimulates all the senses, an experience he is excited to tackle from the dugout for the first time.
Recent struggles against Leeds
United's recent record against their old rivals provides a sobering backdrop. The club took just one point from the two league meetings last season, with the last trip to west Yorkshire ending in a 1-1 draw under former manager Ruben Amorim. Carrick's only previous appearance there as a United player was a more positive 3-0 League Cup victory in 2011, part of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad. The current team sits 13th in the standings with only six points from their opening six matches, making a positive result this weekend urgent.
The need to bounce back is amplified by a midweek Champions League disappointment, a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid. Carrick wants to put that result behind the squad, but it followed a run of domestic frustration. United's recent form reads zero wins from their last five matches across all competitions, a sequence that includes draws with Tottenham and Fulham.
Internal pressure and forward focus
Off-field issues have also surfaced, with defender Lisandro Martinez issuing a public apology this week after comments critical of the club's football director, Jason Wilcox. Wilcox, who appointed Carrick permanently after a successful interim spell last season, retains the backing of the club's hierarchy. The director had previously spoken of building a 'winning culture' at Carrington following significant investment in the squad.
Carrick's task is to channel a positive training mood into a performance that can silence critics. With Leeds sitting 7th and unbeaten at the start of the campaign until last weekend, the challenge is clear. United's top scorer this season is Bryan Mbeumo with three goals, and the team will need his threat to improve a record of nine goals scored and nine conceded.
The match kicks off at 2pm BST on Sunday at Elland Road, broadcast live on Sky Sports. United then face a quick turnaround, with their next fixture a home game against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
The report in full is at manutd.com
