Michael Carrick says he has Man United's backing but knows wins must follow before Como

Michael Carrick says he has the support of Manchester United's bosses. He also knows it will not last without results.

United head into Wednesday's Champions League match at Como on a six-game winless run with just two wins all season. Carrick, 45, was asked Tuesday whether he needed reassurance from the club.

"I don't need any reassurance," Carrick said. "It's pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don't need anyone else to tell me that or tell me when it's going well or when it needs to be better."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Asked whether he feels the backing of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, Carrick said: "Yeah, why wouldn't I? I'm in this position, I have a good relationship, a really good relationship with everyone, everybody at the football club. There's really no issues and no problems with any of that side. We've got to win games of football and that's what we're striving to do."

United have not won a Champions League away game since beating Villarreal in November 2021. Carrick was the interim boss that night after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired.

Fàbregas will not take the bait

Como coach Cesc Fàbregas was asked at his own news conference about the idea that he could replace Carrick. He refused to answer.

"I won't answer that question because I think that's not a very nice question," Fàbregas said. "I don't think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side."

Fàbregas added that Carrick did well last season to bring United back to the Champions League. Como sit fifth in Serie A after beating Fiorentina 3-1 on Sunday.

Short-handed in Italy

United have nine senior players injured, ill or suspended. Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Ayden Heaven did not make the trip. Leny Yoro is suspended after his red card in last week's 2-0 loss to Atlético Madrid.

There is some good news. Matthijs de Ligt could play for the first time in 11 months after a back injury. "He's fit, he's ready, he's been training for a number of weeks now, so he's in a really good place," Carrick said.