Every word of Michael Carrick’s Sunderland press conference

Every word of Michael Carrick’s Sunderland press conference

Michael Carrick will take his Manchester United side to Sunderland on Saturday chasing a third-place finish in the Premier League.

In advance of the game, the interim manager spoke to the media and was asked about a number of key issues.

Any news on the permanent job?

The first question was:

“With Champions League qualification secured and the implication that that can have on recruitment through the summer, I just wonder now, how quickly is clarity needed and what clarity is needed on your own future at the club?”

Carrick replied:

“Clarity is important. I think moving forward, it’s come right at the end of the season where I think we finished strong, put ourselves in a good position, and obviously the situation of of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it’s just the natural time. It was always spoke about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season. So nothing’s really changed, to be honest.”

“Why hasn’t it changed though?”, the reporter asked. “I’m just thinking because you have got that Champions League qualification sorted out now.”

The boss answered:

“Yeah, we have, but it’s a matter of days ago and we’ve got eyes on finishing the season strongly as well. So I understand the question. I understand the timing of it. But from my point of view, right at this stage, it’s just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly. And then, as I’ve said all along, and I’m calm about it, it’ll get sorted out when it’s going to get sorted out. Some of it’s out of my hands, so we’ll see what happens.”

The follow-up question was:

“Do you have a view of what happens further down the line though? Because I’m thinking Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were debating the other night who has the brighter future, and the point was raised that the squad now has to deal with playing games every 3 or 4 days. So what work do you feel is perhaps needed on the squad, or is it well equipped enough at the moment to deal with that jump in in the schedule that they will face next season?”