Every word from Michael Carrick press conference

Carrick on Mainoo

You can always improve on a lot of things, just the age he’s at, there is so much more to come and develop, that’s the stage he’s at in his career.

He’s got a lot of letters to improve. He’s doing really well, not having a lot of football to come in and play a run of games. He found his rhythm quickly and his natural flow.

He was really good again at the weekend, putting in a performance where he did a little bit of everything. Really impressive.

Carrick on United's schedule

The next couple of weeks are a real mix for the group.

We’re not sure exactly what kind of numbers we’ll have but we probably won’t have many here, that means they will be training and playing games.

It becomes managing each individual and what they need, some boys have played and need maintaining that level, others haven’t played as much.

You have to be flexible to come out the back of it in good shape. We’re mindful of it, for sure. It’s unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare.

Normally, it’s a rush to get everyone back as quickly as possible.

Mazraoui update

Carrick is confident Noussair Mazraoui will be fit enough to make the Manchester United squad for Friday's clash with Bournemouth, despite missing training on Wednesday through illness.

United will train again on Thursday, before flying to the south coast on Thursday afternoon, and Carrick believes Mazraoui will be well enough to form part of the travelling squad for the game against the Cherries.

But Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Lisandro Martinez (calf) are also ruled out of the game against Andoni Iraola's side.

Read more here

Carrick on away form

It’s just form and results, whether it’s home or away, it’s something we look at too much, it’s the next game.

We’ve had some good results at home, that doesn’t mean that is fixed and we can move on to something else.

It’s been nice to win at home and play at Old Trafford with a real feeling of confidence and for the supporters to feel that.

But we’re not having a major difference in preparation or mindset. We’re not really separating one game from the next.

Exciting Mainoo pledge

Michael Carrick believes there is more to come from Kobbie Mainoo, despite hailing the 20-year-old's latest "really impressive" performance in the centre of midfield for Manchester United.

Mainoo didn't start a single Premier League game for United under Ruben Amorim this season, but he has started in all nine since Carrick took charge, with his performances going from strength to strength.

The academy graduate quickly found his feet after being plunged back in under Carrick, excelling in the Manchester derby, and his partnership with Casemiro has been a bedrock of United's fine form under their 44-year-old head coach.

Read more here

Injury latest

Carrick has addressed the media and given an injury update. De Ligt remains sidelined while Lisandro Martinez is not fit enough to return and Patrick Dorgu remains a long-term absentee.

Similar really. Frustrating for Mata (De Ligt), he’s been trying to work towards getting back, it’s a back issue that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can.

On Martinez

He’s a lot closer. He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright.

On Dorgu

Patrick further down the line.

OPINION: United's weakness becoming a strength?

As a general rule, Sir Jim Ratcliffe would be better off keeping his mouth shut, but United fans nodded along when they listened to his interview about the club's recruitment last year.

Speaking to the BBC, Ratcliffe launched a scathing attack on United's transfer business, saying: “If you look at the players that we are buying this summer, that we [Ineos] didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, and we’re buying Sancho."

Ratcliffe went on to reference the transfer fee instalments United still had to pay. "These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out," he added.

Read on here >>>

United on the march

United's improvements under Michael Carrick look set to be rewarded with Champions League football next season.

The Reds are third in the table with a six point buffer to sixth spot. Carrick has impressed since taking charge on an interim basis and it remains to be seen whether he will be at the helm next term.

Either way, with question marks over several sides next season and managerial uncertainty around the future of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Arne Slot at Anfield, could United mount a title challenge?

We've asked our writers for their verdicts.

Good news coming up?

United will hope for some positive news on the injury front today.

They've been without De Ligt since November and Dorgu has been sidelined since the brilliant win over Arsenal. Lisandro Martinez had hoped to miss just one game after picking up a knock but he hasn't played in four matches and United could really do with him back in the team.

What time is Carrick speaking?

The United boss is about to start his pre-match press conference but the quotes will not be available until 2.30pm.

We'll bring you every word he had to say at 2.30pm.

What will be on the agenda?

Carrick will be asked for team news updates today ahead of the big clash with Bournemouth.

The United interim head coach has had to deal with a few tricky questions since he was appointed, including his reaction to Ratciffe's dreadful comments on UK immigration and his thoughts on what appeared to be a dig from former teammate Paul Scholes after the defeat to Newcastle. Carrick has handled them impeccably, but he'll hope that on-the-pitch matters dominate today's press conference.

Casemiro future update

United have no plans to enter contract talks with Casemiro despite the Brazilian's stunning performances under Carrick.

The 34-year-old scored his seventh goal of the season in Sunday's 3-1 win against Aston Villa and he was involved in the build-up to the goals for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko as well, delivering another outstanding display.

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United handed £100m Tonali transfer stance

United do not have long to wait before they have the opportunity to strengthen their squad in the transfer window.

Carrick has guided United to third place in the Premier League table during his two months in charge as the club’s interim head coach. Such form has seen plenty of speculation about whether the 44-year-old could get the job on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

Qualification for the Champions League is likely to have a major impact on what business United could do when the summer transfer window opens.

Read on here >>>

Champions League boost

United's Champions League hopes were boosted on Tuesday night after Arsenal sealed their European progression into the competition's quarter-final stage. The Gunners defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.

The Premier League is hoping to retain a fifth spot for Europe's top competition. To do so, they need to place among the top two teams in UEFA's coefficient rankings.

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OPINION: Amorim embarrassed again by United star

When Ruben Amorim was sacked by United, some fans and pundits believed it was the wrong decision. It hasn't taken long for that opinion to be proven wrong by Carrick, who has won seven of nine.

United are third in the Premier League, six points clear of fifth position. The bookmakers have priced Carrick's side as near-certainties to qualify for the Champions League. It was a long shot when Amorim was in charge.

Carrick and his backroom staff deserve to be lauded for their impact, but the last two months have reflected poorly on Amorim, who was holding the club back with his management.

Read on here >>>

Injury updates to come

Carrick will be asked if there are any injury updates this afternoon.

Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since the trip to Crystal Palace in November, while Lisandro Martinez has missed the last four matches. Patrick Dorgu has been out since the victory over Arsenal, so we'll hope for some positive news on the trio today.

When is Carrick speaking?

Carrick will speak to the media at 1.30pm today and the quotes will be available for everyone to read at 2.30pm.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our live blog of Carrick's pre-Bournemouth press conference.

The United boss will speak today as he previews the clash with the Cherries. United have put themselves into a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League and a win on Friday night would further tighten their grip on third place.

Bournemouth are winless in their last four games and so Carrick will see this as a huge opportunity to open up the gap between his side and the chasing pack before the rest of the Premier League games this weekend.

The United boss will give the latest on the injury front today along with the team news ahead of Friday night, and we'll have all the updates you need right here.

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