Carrick unsure on future amid Man United pressure

Michael Carrick admitted he does not know whether he will remain Manchester United manager after Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left him facing the sack. The 45-year-old said he understood the situation and was carrying on as normal, but accepted that his fate was now out of his hands.

The defeat at Old Trafford came four days after a humiliating 4-1 loss to Como in Italy, and stretched United's winless run to nine games. It was a fifth defeat in eight matches, and Carrick was already under severe pressure before kickoff, having dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench.

"I totally understand the situation," Carrick said after the match. "I'm not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I'm carrying on as normal, and you know, I love this place." He added that he would always do what he felt was best for the club, whatever decision was made.

Despite the result, Carrick was applauded by the home supporters as he left the pitch, in what could prove to be his final match in charge. Fans directed their anger instead at the club's owners, the Glazers, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the players during the second half and after the final whistle.

Carrick said he had not expected the warm reception. "I have to say, really mixed emotions," he said. "I probably didn't really expect that from the supporters, if I'm honest, but I've always felt the support and always felt that connection with them anyway." He said the respect the fans showed him "meant an awful lot" in a difficult spell for the club.