Pressure mounts on Michael Carrick after Manchester United's derby defeat

Gary Neville has labelled Manchester United's recent derby defeat to Manchester City as a "bad day" for Michael Carrick's side. The match ended in a 1-0 loss for United, despite City being reduced to ten men after Phil Foden's early dismissal. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Carrick, especially as United failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage during the match at Old Trafford.

The controversial winning goal for City, scored by Erling Haaland, has drawn criticism, with the refereeing body Pro Ref admitting to an error. They acknowledged that VAR should have prompted an on-field review due to Enzo Fernandez's offside position, which could have influenced the play. United reportedly received an apology from the refereeing body regarding the incorrect decision.

Neville expressed concern over United's inability to perform effectively against ten men, noting that this marks the third time in a year they have lost to a team reduced to ten players. He pointed out that the team struggled significantly in the final moments of the match, failing to create pressure or scoring opportunities, which he found alarming for a club of United's stature.

With only four points from their opening four matches, United's start to the Premier League season is tied for their worst. Neville highlighted that Carrick's record mirrors that of Ruben Amorim's at the same stage last season. As the pressure mounts, Neville emphasised the importance of the upcoming match against Fulham, suggesting it could be a pivotal moment for Carrick's tenure as head coach.

via Sky Sports