Pre Match Press Conference Quotes

Laurie Whitwell

Michael Carrick: “I’ve spoken to Jason an awful lot, Omar as well. The ownership group were in, it was nice to see them + meet them. Taking care of business in some ways. We had a small chat. We were able to share a few things, they wished all the very best.”

Simon Stone

Michael Carrick on external noise and opinion on Man Utd : "They’re not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on. I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world. I’m not gonna pay too much attention to that."

Michael Carrick on personal comments from Roy Keane: "It didn’t bother me."

Chris Wheeler

Carrick on criticism from former teammates and Roy Keane in particular, who aimed a dig at his wife Lisa this week: 'They’re not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that.'

'There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on. I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. There’s a lot that can be said. I’m not going to pay much attention to it.'

Carrick was asked about Keane's comment being personal. 'It didn’t bother me.'

Detailed Quotes

Carrick on taking the job

"Two different roles sat in this chair in front of you, different from coaching. It's fantastic to be here and it's great for me to be in this position. As well as that, I'm eager to succeed; it's a big and important job. One side is nice to be there, the other side is focus and concentration to improve the team and results."

Carrick on season target

"Not in terms of it has to be this or that way. Like I said, we want to be near the top. But we have to take some small steps toward that and European football would a step toward that."

Carrick responds to Keane

"They’re [former players] not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on. I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world. I’m not gonna pay too much attention to that. For me, the players and staff it’s a focus on how we’re going to succeed. That's our job."

Carrick on Keane again

"It didn’t bother me, honestly."

What is success?

"I think improvement. Helping individuals is a big part of what I enjoy. I think if you improve the individuals, then you create a better team. And results. There is an element of performance, an element of improvement and doing what it takes to win in certain ways. We want to keep pushing and finish as high as we can."

Carrick on Ratcliffe + Glazer visit

"I've spoken to Jason an awful lot and I've been working closely with Jason and Omar as well. Over the last few days, we've spoken a lot, as you imagine. The ownership group were in and around it. It was nice to see them and meet them yesterday, and have a small chat yesterday. They've taken care of business in some ways. We shared a few things. They wished us all the very best and it was good to see them."