Photo via BBC Sport

'Not a catastrophe' - Carrick dismisses Man Utd job fears

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has brushed off concerns over his job security despite facing mounting scrutiny following consecutive home defeats. United experienced a brutal week at Old Trafford, first falling to a 10-man Manchester City side that had a player sent off after 23 minutes, and then blowing a two-goal advantage against Brighton to suffer a historic Carabao Cup exit that provoked jeers from home supporters.

The 45-year-old manager, who guided the squad to 12 wins in 17 fixtures late last term, has managed only two victories across six outings this campaign against Ipswich and Champions League opponents Sabah FK.

Ahead of Sunday's league encounter at Craven Cottage against Fulham, club hierarchy continues to back Carrick and is instead concentrating on squad performance levels. External scrutiny has targeted United's financial liabilities, transfer strategy at left-back, and the coaching pedigree surrounding Carrick and assistant Steve Holland.

Carrick downplayed the crisis narrative and stated that both Luke Shaw and fresh arrival Carlos Baleba could potentially feature in the upcoming match after injury doubts.