“We’re hurting”: Carrick says Manchester United are Hungry to end their winless run

Michael Carrick has said there has been an edge to Manchester United this week as the club look to turn around results.

Manchester United take on Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, aiming to end an eight-game run without a win. Heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth have increased the pressure on the Red Devils, who have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Carrick's position has been questioned in recent days, but the 45-year-old will continue in charge at Chelsea.

Asked about the week, Carrick said he knows where his team must improve and says there has been an added intensity to team training.

“Of course, that's my responsibility, is the players," he said at his pre-game press conference.

"The outside is not anything for me to focus on. I know what we can affect, I know what we need to improve. I know as a group, leading a group, what help they need a little bit as well and a bit of guidance at certain times and dealing with certain things. So, that's part of my direct role, it's them, who I care about and can affect the most directly.

"And, of course, we spoke, we have meetings as we do every single week, but some of the meetings go in different ways, depending on results in the situation and the feeling. The boys, I have to say, they're hungry, we're hurting because we haven't won enough football games, but there's an intensity, there's a bit of an edge, there's a disappointment, there's a hunger to do better, for sure.”

Carrick said he has not needed any assurances from the board over his future as manager, insisting he understands the implications of ongoing poor results.

“I don't need any assurances from anyone. I totally get the position. I understand the job. I understand the responsibilities. I understand what comes with that. So, I really don't need any assurances from anyone in that regard.”