Every word from Michael Carrick press conference Man United vs Liverpool preview and Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick has spoken to the media this afternoon ahead of a huge clash with rivals Liverpool on Sunday

‌

Key Events

Mainoo

View Post

Team news

View Post

Carrick outlines United target for Mainoo

Carrick believes Kobbie Mainoo symbolises what Manchester United is about as a football club after expressing his delight at seeing the midfielder sign a long-term contract at Old Trafford. Mainoo signed a new five-year contract this week, pledging his future to his boyhood club until the summer of 2031 and putting an end to a difficult couple of years at Old Trafford.

The academy graduate found himself out of the team under Ruben Amorim and he played just 213 minutes of Premier League football in the first half of the season. But Carrick has restored him to the heart of the team and he has started 12 of his 13 games in charge, only missing the defeat to Leeds through injury.

Read more here>>>

United hopeful one player can return to the squad vs Liverpool

United are hopeful Matheus Cunha will be back in the squad against Liverpool on Sunday after he returned to training at Carrington this week. The Brazilian missed Monday's win against Brentford at Old Trafford with a sore hip flexor, but he is back in with a chance of returning to the side for what is always a huge game. Luke Shaw also limped out of the win against the Bees that moved United to within one win of a return to the Champions League. Carrick didn't offer an update on the left-back but did say the squad was in good shape, with Matthijs de Ligt the only ongoing absentee with a back problem.

Read more here>>>

Finishing above Liverpool

It shows the improvements of the group, we are getting stronger. We come into this game in such a good position off the back of good results and trying to achieve what we want. I am fully aware of the league and how close it is between us but it is not what we are focusing on. It is a one-off game. They have got some terrific players from the team who won the league last season. We are treating it as a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday's a whole different ball game. First of all, it is a real privilege to be involved in it, in whatever capacity. That's the beauty of football. We get wound up with what's going on week to week but to sustain a level of performance for each football club... There is a way of doing it, what the standards look like, what it means, what are the behaviours and what we stand for as a football club. Two incredible football clubs who are so close in terms of titles, geographical. To have such an impact over such a period of time it is quite special and we all appreciate that.

Longevity of Casemiro

It is quite interesting how much you give certain players. Younger players sometimes you think you need to help them a lot and the other times, a little like Kobbie's scenario, knowing when to come off and letting them develop and thrive. Certain players want more than others. There is a lot of experience when you cross 30, the players know a little bit what they are and you have to trust them to know themselves, speaking to them on a level where there is an understanding. With Case that has been the case. Knowing what he is good at, what he can bring to the team, play to his strengths and having trust in his experience and the level that he has. To play so long at such a level takes a lot, a lot of sacrifice. It is something I am personally proud of sustaining for a period of time. Some players have different careers big spikes and dips. To do what he has done takes a lot of work and a lot of credit.

Squad depth to compete next season

It is a different challenge to what we have had these last three or four months. It is naturally what we want and where we want to be. It is a real positive if that is the case and we get into the position we want to finish in. We are evolving all the time, always trying to improve, always trying to be stronger. Whether that is quality, whether that is depth, the make up of the squad, the balance of the squad, the balance of the team. We are constantly pushing to move forward

Mainoo again

Like all the players I had to get that connection and understanding in the relationship. Understanding what that looked like for Kobbie over the last, two to three years. And then the ups and downs, the big highs and some challenging times. We just let him thrive and have that platform to be himself. He has evolved, he has improved all the time, you can see that with the more responsibility, more confidence, more belief he keeps adding to his game. We just gave him that platform and that opportunity to go and be the best version, he has done fantastic. There is loads more to come, I keep saying that for some time because he is such a young man. He is in a great spot at the moment. Hopefully he is here for a long time and he is part of successful teams. Winning trophies. That has to be the aim. It is not going to be easy or straightforward but that's gotta be the challenge and the aim of Kobbie to be the best version of himself and keep pushing and improving. Certainly, we need to have the platform of a team and a football club needs to be in a good place to push forward as well. We want to be competing for the biggest of trophies. We have done it in the past and we need to do it again.

Liverpool rivalry

Certainly one of my favourite games. It is a standout game. There is big games, big rivalries that we have with other teams but this is right up there. The history of it, ups and downs that the past has produced in these types of game and the excitement and entertainment and the emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game. It has that edge, competition, irrespective of league positions over the years and who has been on top at certain times. It has never changed the feeling of the game, the emotion of the supporters and appreciating what it means to the supporters. It is a special game to be part of and coming out on top is one of the best feelings you'll get.

Mainoo

I have been hugely impressed with Kobbie, since I have been here. I've known him quite some time in different capacities but been aware of him a long time. He epitomises this football club, young players coming through the academy living and breathing the club, coming through with real talent. The last couple of games he has been fantastic. The natural thing and the evolution is to sign a new contract. Everyone is over the moon, including me because I think he deserves it.

Team news

We are in good shape. Matthijs has done a little bit of work, we are not sure but hopeful. Matthijs is not involved but other than that we are in good shape.

Here we go!

Carrick is here and the press conference shall begin shortly...

Slot gives Carrick verdict

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot claims we are now seeing "how good Manchester United really are" as Michael Carrick looks to guide them to next season's Champions League. The Reds appointed Carrick on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim's outburst following the draw at Leeds. Carrick was handed the chance to prove himself while United were given time to find a replacement. However, a combination of great results and a lack of alternatives has left Carrick in the driving seat for the permanent position. The Reds have won nine of the 13 games since he returned.

Meanwhile, potential candidates to replace Amorim, including Thomas Tuchel, have become unavailable. With Champions League qualification nearly guaranteed, Carrick is waiting to see if he will be kept on. In his pre-match press conference before facing United, Slot insisted he has seen improvements from the Reds.

Read more here>>>

Carrick coming up

United's interim head coach is speaking to the media now. His press conference is embargoed until 1.30pm. Once that embargo lifts, we will bring you everything he had to say.

United might have turned the tables on Liverpool

It's been painful for Manchester United fans not only to see their side fall away from the Premier League's upper echelons over the last decade, but also to watch Liverpool take their place. United supporters find it easier to write off Manchester City's success, but those years when their Merseyside rivals have sustained a title challenge have been difficult to bear. There is no greater evidence of that than the final day of the 2021/22 season, when City's dramatic comeback to deny Liverpool another title was celebrated in the Selhurst Park away end.

Not every season ended that way, however. There have been campaigns when Liverpool have been pipped at the post, and others when they have fallen away dramatically, but there have also been two years that have ended with the title back at Anfield, drawing them level with United at 20 league titles each.

Read more here>>>

Half an hour to go!

Just 30 minutes away from the press conference. What do you hope Carrick will discuss this afternoon?

Liverpool give Salah and Alisson updates

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed Mohamed Salah will not feature against Manchester United on Sunday while first-choice goalkeeper Alisson is a major doubt. Salah picked up a minor muscle injury during the victory over Crystal Palace last weekend. The extent of Salah's injury was unclear after the game. Liverpool confirmed this week they expected their forward to play for the club again before his departure this summer, but Slot has ruled Salah out of the trip to Old Trafford.

Read more here>>>

What's on the agenda?

Here's what we expect Carrick to be asked about during his press conference:

Injury updates - including Cunha's fitness

Mainoo's new contract

Carrick's future at the club

Playing against Liverpool

Race for the Champions League

It is sure to be a busy press conference...

One hour to go!

We are just an hour away from hearing what this man has to say this afternoon.

Cunha update expected today

We expect Carrick to discuss Cunha's fitness when he speaks to the media. The Brazil international has four goal contributions in his last six appearances for the Reds and, having scored the winner at Chelsea, Carrick will be delighted to welcome him back into the team.

United handed Cunha boost

Matheus Cunha took part in Manchester United training on Thursday ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford. The Brazil international was not spotted at Carrington last week in the build-up to the Reds' fixture against Brentford. United confirmed the 26-year-old was absent due to being on a recovery day. However, he would go on to miss the game earlier this week. Michael Carrick confirmed pre-match the injury was not thought to be serious. "[Cunha] just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game the other day," the interim boss told Sky Sports.

"He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been okay, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough. It is nothing too serious, but unfortunately he doesn’t make it tonight."

Read more here>>>

Mainoo reveals what Casemiro tells teammates before every game

Kobbie Mainoo has revealed Casemiro tells Manchester United's players to "have fun" before matches. Mainoo has thrived alongside Casemiro since being reinstated to the starting XI by Michael Carrick. The Manchester Evening News have previously been told that Mainoo "loves" to play with Casemiro, but United need to find the Stockport-born midfielder a new partner this summer as the Brazilian is leaving.

Casemiro is set to go out on a high. The 34-year-old has enjoyed the finest goalscoring season of his career, scoring nine goals, and has helped put United on the verge of a return to the Champions League.

Read more here>>>

What United players have said about Carrick amid uncertain future

United will soon have to decide whether to stick or twist. Michael Carrick arrived on an interim basis in January after Ruben Amorim was shown the exit door. Since then, Carrick has led United to nine wins from 13 matches and put them on the cusp of the Champions League. Now the question is: what next? The Reds were not expected to appoint Carrick permanently when he returned.

But due to good results and a dwindling list of alternatives, Carrick is now firmly in the picture for the permanent position. If United are to twist again, Ineos can't afford to get the appointment wrong, especially after the vote of confidence the players have given him since January.

Read more here>>>

Mainoo celebrated

It would be more than fair for Carrick to praise Mainoo highly if asked about the young midfielder this afternoon. The Amorim era was a blot on what has been an incredibly good United career so far. This new contract is well deserved and now it is time for him to push on.

United will never know how close they came to transfer decision they'd never live down

It is turning into quite the year for Kobbie Mainoo. Back in the Manchester United team and better than ever in midfield, he now has a long-term contract in his pocket and a hefty pay rise in his bank account, while a first World Cup should be on the horizon as well. But 2026 didn't look like being Mainoo's year. When it dawned, the Stockport-born academy graduate was weighing up a decision on whether to leave his boyhood club and how hard to push for a move away.

Consistently overlooked by Ruben Amorim, Mainoo had wanted to join Napoli on loan in the final days of the summer transfer window, only to be told he was needed at Old Trafford.

Read more here>>>

When will we hear from Carrick?

Carrick will address the media at 1.15pm but the press conference will be embargoed until 1.30pm. Once the embargo lifts, we will be bringing you everything the United interim head coach had to say.

Hello!

Good morning and welcome to Carrick's press conference blog ahead of a huge game for United. Fierce rivals Liverpool travel to Old Trafford with revenge on their minds after losing 2-1 at Anfield earlier in the season. The Reds know a win on Sunday will secure their spot in next season's Champions League. That will be a massive achievement for United but also Carrick as he bids to become the club's permanent head coach.

Once Champions League qualification is secured, Carrick's future will take centre stage and the pressure will be on Ineos to either back him or find a more suitable candidate. The interim boss will likely be asked about his future, Mainoo and team news when he sits down this afternoon.

Stay tuned for updates...

Follow Manchester Evening News:

‌

Click here to read article