Every word from Michael Carrick’s press conference after Brentford win

“I thought we started fantastic in the game. Looked really dangerous. Probably could add an extra goal or two. And then they came into it a little bit. So half-time was a good position for us to be in. We tweaked a couple of things at half-time and probably had a bit more control.”

“The game wasn’t as open, which at that stage was what we kind of wanted really and seeing the game out in tough circumstances. So they are three big points and you know, it’s that time of the season where results are crucial, and the boys to win again, is a good habit to get used to. It’s an important one for us.”

Asked about Casemiro’s performance, Carrick answered, “I think its pretty clear how much it means to him. Probably the situation and the clarity of it has helped everything to be so open and understand, for the supporters as well, for him, for everybody and it means a lot to him.”

“And credit to him because the situation that he’s in, he’s given absolutely everything as well and had some big moments for us. So all round it’s quite a nice direction for it to be taken in.”

On the formation change and when he decided to make it, Carrick replied, “Five minutes before half-time maybe. Five or six minutes before the second goal. We just felt we were a little bit too open at certain times and we still could be dangerous, but we wanted to stop certain spaces and have a little bit more control within the game and still carry the threat.”

“It was purely tactical. Second half we came out and actually had control and still went forward, looked dangerous. And it was what the game needed at that point really. So obviously the second goal…we were cetain anyway and it put us in a great position to then have more control of the game.”

“In the end, it’s gone to plan up to a point and we’ve won the game, so we’re happy with that.”

Pressed further on Amad’s substitution, Carrick said, [It was] purely tactical, yeah.”

Asked for the most impressive aspect of Mainoo’s display, Carrick told reporters, “I just thought on the back of the Chelsea game really, he was particularly good in the Chelsea game. Similar things, I think. Showing a little bit of everything – what he can do.”

“I think his build-up play, taking the ball, his creation, starting the attacks. He’s so effective with that, but definitely his duels, recovery runs, back tackling I think over the last two games, he’s taken that up a level. It’s great to see that he can do it. We know he can do it and you try to give him more responsibility as the games go on and still not expecting too much of him as well and understand trying to help him a little bit, but her’s doing great at the moment.”

On United inching closer to securing Champions League football, Carrick explained, “We’ve given ourselves a great chance. We’ve put ourselves in a big position. I think these last two results have been big to that. It’s a tough league. It’s tough to get wins and I think you can see that throughout the league, so to get the amount of wins we’ve had, and especially after setbacks…the Newcastle defeat and then to bounce back with Villa. The Leeds one and then to bounce back again.”

“I think the lads have got to take a bit of credit for that because this week’s been very effective in terms of the league. On the other side, the Champions League is one thing, but it’s not something we should be over-celebrating either. We want to be finishing higher up the league and we want to be challenging higher up the league and try and get more points.”

“Our season doesn’t get to a close when that happens. It’s certainly one thing that we need to try and achieve. We’ve put ourselves in a  good position at this moment, but there’s still more work to be done.”

Fernandes registered his 19th assist of the season against Brentford, meaning he is just one away from equalling Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s Premier League record.

Asked about the skipper, Carrick explained, “Yeah, hopefully he does [celebrate some personal accolades at the end of the season]. He deserves it for the impact that he’s had and the moments that he’s created – whether that’s scoring, whether that’s having an influence over the group – you know he’s had a big season and there’s no getting away from it.”

“And it was another good performance from him tonight.”

On whether Casemiro’s situation is closed and there is no chance of United reversing their decision to release him, Carrick confirmed, “Yeah, it’s pretty clear. From both sides it’s pretty clear.”

Carrick insisted that tactical flexibility and switching formations can be a strength of his.

“Yeah, I think we’ve got to be able to adapt, you know and play certain things. And I’m not really a big numbers and formation kind of guy. I think it’s certain games, certain things. I think you can put a formation on paper but actually, the way you play, there’s only certain moments that you’re in them numbers really, in possession, out of pession, when you’re pressing, whether you’re a little bit deeper.”

“So the numbers side of it, it’s not so much. It’s what we’re trying to achieve with it, you know and try to be flexible and I thought Nous [Mazraoui] came in again and did fantastically well and playing two positons, to show us on the back of last week, he was very unlucky not to be playing tonight.”

“But he stepped in great and flexibility is important. Adapting is important and actually managing the game and what we need, and I thought we did that tonight.”

Asked about Casemiro again, Carrick pointed out, “He’s had an influence on the group. He’s got huge experience, he’s a good player, he’s achieved an awful lot in the game and since I’ve been here he’s given everything that he could possibly give.”

“The situation has probably helped that, knowing exactly where he’s at, there’s nothing to hide, and he’s thrown himself right into it.”

The United boss added, “It’s football, players come and go. You’ve got to evolve and move on and adapt. It’s kind of the world we’re in. He’s definitely giving everything and it’s nice he’s got that connection with the supporters and it goes both ways, cause I know he’s an emotional guy and it means a lot to him.”

Carrick hailed Sesko’s ability to sniff out chances, even when it doesn’t look like they’re coming to him in abundance.

“It’s great if he can score on the first one [chance]. I think the way the game is at now, if you are an out-and-out number nine, the game kind of went away from it a little bit in many ways. I think if you are an out-and-out striker that lives on the last line and plays for those, I think sometimes you’re not necessarily always involved in the game, but that’s not the role.”

“He’s certainly got a part to play and link play and out of possession and a role with that. But if you look at the out-and-out number nines, they’re to pick the moments and be there at the right time and it was a big moment for us. I think he took it fantastically well.”

“He was so calm and composed with it and it just shows the steps that he’s made, I think to be in that situation and have that confidence to put the ball away like he did.”

United are next in action on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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