Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said his side can “definitely get back to winning ways” after their 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Premier League Matchday 7.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carrick said the result followed a difficult week but showed the character and unity within his squad, particularly in a fiercely contested away fixture.
“I think if there were any weaknesses in the team, they would have been exposed today,” he said. “The game wasn’t perfect, but we performed well in certain periodssometimes even exceptionally well.”
Carrick said his players understood the importance of the rivalry before kick-off and praised their defensive effort against Daniel Farke’s side, who he described as a team capable of applying “immense pressure”, particularly through the wide areas.
Manchester United’s confidence dipped at times, he admitted, but he felt the players continued to follow the team’s intended style and competed for every ball in an intense match.
“There’s nowhere to hide in a game like today,” Carrick said. “The entire match was full of intensity and hard-fought challenges.”
He also rejected any concerns about the atmosphere inside the dressing room, saying the preparations over the previous two days had been among the best for some time. Although Manchester United did not claim the three points, he believed the performance could provide a platform for improvement.
The manager pointed to the midweek response against Atletico Madrid as another source of encouragement. Manchester United recovered after falling behind in a noisy away stadium, a comeback Carrick said could have had major psychological significance for the group.
“If we can maintain this fighting spirit and give our all as we did today, we will definitely win many games,” he added.
Carrick explained that the defensive system changed between a back four and a back five according to where Leeds United posed the greatest threat. In a 4-4-2, one wide player sometimes has to accept greater defensive responsibility, particularly against opponents who attack through the flanks.
He praised the front three of Bruno, Youri and Amad for their coverage and tactical discipline, while Andre and Carlos impressed despite having had few previous opportunities to play together. Both young midfielders are still adapting to a new club, Carrick said, but stood up well under pressure.
Lisandro Martinez was substituted at half-time, while Baleba left the field appearing to be struggling. Carrick said Baleba had only suffered from cramps. Carlos, meanwhile, had carried a heavy workload after making his Manchester United debut and playing his first Champions League match during the week, having missed much of pre-season’s structured games.
Despite the pressure, Carrick said he had enjoyed the challenge and remained positive ahead of Wednesday’s match.
“I always hold that belief firmly,” he said. “I have the utmost confidence in this team; they are a group of excellent players, and we will definitely get back to winning ways.”
