Michael Carrick remains confident in Manchester United's chances for Champions League qualification despite a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds. The loss was compounded by Lisandro Martinez's red card for violent conduct.
Carrick confident of Champions League despite Leeds setback
Michael Carrick has said he retains confidence in Manchester United despite the clubās 2-1 defeat to Leeds at Old Trafford.
Unitedās hopes of Champions League football were dented after a shock setback at home to relegation-threatened Leeds.
Noah Okoforās first-half brace put Leeds in control of the contest, before United were reduced to 10 men on 56 minutes. Lisandro Martinez was dismissed for violent conduct after making contact with Dominic Calvert-Lewinās hair. It was a decision Carrick called āone of the worst Iāve ever seenā.
Casemiro pulled one back for the Red Devils but the 10 men were unable to find an equaliser. The result leaves Carrickās side third, ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa on goal difference.
Despite the disappointment, Carrick said he has seen enough from the side in recent weeks to remain confident about the run-in.
āI have to say, whatever happened tonight, itās not going to suddenly change my opinion on what we are as a team,ā Carrick said at his post-match press conference.
āWeāve built enough of a foundation to kind of understand what weāre good at and what we need to improve on.
āMoving forward at the end of the season, the games are going to be the games and itās a big end of the season. Thereās no getting away from it.
āThe kind of mentality and the character of the boys wanting to do well and trying to give everything, Iāve never doubted that, and I wonāt doubt that.
āI think, from what Iāve seen every day and in the games, itās there. We can certainly improve at certain things so Iām not saying that but the boys are desperate to do well and desperate to improve. Weāve done a lot of good things so far, we need to do more of that for sure.ā
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