Manchester United

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, Carrick said "there is a chance" for defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Carlos Baleba to feature on Sunday, although he is not "100%". He added Shaw's injury is short-term and they are working towards the game.

• The United boss said "we are always learning" after two matches without a win, and added a season is not always "going to go to plan" but it is how you react, stay focussed and "believe you will come through it", which he insisted he is confident about.

• Asked about the Stretford End boos following their League Cup defeat by Brighton, he responded: "It's not that I don't feel the emotion of losing matches, but it doesn't affect how I think about what we need to do next. That is the most important thing."

• He added Manchester United is "the best place for me to be" and it "100%" feels like a great club: "The key for us it to stay focused, stay on track, understanding it can happen, as much as we don't like it. The fact it's happened in the first cluster of the season, it's maybe seen a little bit different. But I was expecting a spell we had to work through. We are in that now and we will find our way through."

• He believes things need to be put into perspective and "it is not the end of the world". He also said the club are not in a place where they have gone on a long run of "horrific results", adding: "The good things we've done get lost in the surrounding feeling but they don't get lost by us."

• Carrick spoke of how the club's owners might view things, but it is "irrelevant" for him as he knows the club and his role and what is expected of him: "In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got, it's totally nothing. It's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in, it's just not on the radar. I understand the things we need to achieve and where we are as a football club."

• On 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel's current situation: "He's a young boy, it's important we don't play anything out here. The exposure and scrutiny, we have to be careful, be sensible and think of him as much as anything. The situation will work itself out. Making sure he's OK is an important thing."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Man Utd on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 16:30 BST on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Man Utd? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

JJ Gabriel will not be involved in Manchester United's Premier League 2 encounter with Brentford at Leigh Sports Village on Friday evening.

The 15-year-old has scored in both of United's matches in the competition this season. He marked his debut at that level by lifting the ball over the Ipswich goalkeeper from 20 yards on 24 August, before brilliantly turning inside the penalty area, beating a man, and applying the finish in a 4-1 win over Leicester seven days later.

It was those goals that fuelled a belief Gabriel would be involved in United's opening Champions League game against Azerbaijan champions Sabah. Michael Carrick had been present in person for the first and senior United coaching staff were at the second.

As it turned out, Gabriel was not placed on the A list of players for the competition, which was the only way someone under 16 could feature. United won the game 4-0 and Carrick used all five substitutes by 72 minutes.

This chain of events is understood to have been one of the major triggers for Gabriel to take the course of action he has, although there had been issues before that.

The forward is no longer training at the club and, while United sources believe the situation can be resolved, sources close to Gabriel have a different view and do not believe he will play for the club again.

Gabriel's precise whereabouts are unknown, and it is thought unlikely he will be chosen in any of England's age group teams when they are revealed on Friday.

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel has named his squad for England's upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).

Follow reaction and Tuchel's news conference here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick likes to project a calm persona.

It is one of the reasons why he was an attractive option to step into the head coach role on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January.

He said he was "not bothered" by the pressure coming on him following the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on Wednesday.

What he definitely is bothered about is the fact United have lost their past two games in alarming fashion, have only collected four points from their first four games and look a shadow of the side that secured a return to the Champions League with 12 wins in his 17 games in charge last term.

Fulham away comes up on Sunday, followed by a three-week international break, and Carrick needs to come up with some answers.

Will he have any when he speaks to the media this lunchtime? It will be interesting to see how relaxed he is for a start.

Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Carrick's news conference.

Image source, Getty Images

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague says he understands why JJ Gabriel wants to "look around and see who else would be interested" in the same way Martin Odegaard did before his move to Real Madrid as a 16-year-old.

Odegaard, now the Arsenal captain, moved to Madrid in 2015 from Norwegian side Stromsgodset amid interest from European giants, including Bayern Munich and both Manchester clubs.

Manchester United striker Gabriel, 15, has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants after giving the Red Devils formal notice that he wants to cancel his registration with immediate effect.

On the potential move, Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast: "I could see it happening. It's a fascinating story and it's got so many angles.

"The machine of a football club is so big that what you're getting now is a whole campaign against JJ and against his dad.

"Why not do a bit like [Martin] Odegaard did and look around and see who else would be interested?

"Real Madrid are obviously not the only club that would want him, but there is a path for 15 or 16-year-old players who arrive at Real Madrid to get somewhere. If not Real Madrid, then other teams with quality.

"With that path that is quite clear, perhaps it is a better solution than him staying at Manchester United. It feels like there is a bit of a war going on and the player will, in the eyes of many, be the loser.

"I give him all the right in the world to decide his own destiny."

Listen to the full episode of Euro Leagues on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

"We can't be in a position like that and lose a game in that manner," said Michael Carrick, after Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup against Brighton, but BBC Radio 5 Live's John Murray believes he "needs results - and quickly" to relieve any pressure.

Carrick added: "I understand the frustrations and the disappointments. I accept that, that is on me. It will need to be better than that [in the future]."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, chief football correspondent Murray analysed Carrick's post-match comments: "Those quotes could have been from any of the managers since Sir Alex Ferguson. They have all come out with something similar to: 'We have got to show our spirit, I know they have got it, we have got to find it for Sunday'.

"[Carrick] needs results - and quickly - otherwise, as he himself pointed out, things can very quickly spiral against you at Manchester United."

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "I echo everything that John said. Michael Carrick knows he is at a big club.

"Even though he did a fantastic job last season, he knows that you are judged on this season. Everything in football moves forward, nothing can stand still.

"This is a massive game at the weekend now [against Fulham]. A club like Manchester United cannot go into the international break losing three games in a row."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Manchester United and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Mark: United were simply all over the place. Slow to the ball, constantly losing possession and not hungry. My brother asked my why some players go to play for United? My answer was why do United go for some players! They simply are not good enough to put on that red shirt. Awful performance no matter what the manager mumbles.

Peter: Majorly disappointing. The signs were there after we scored the second goal. Subs were needed at half-time but didn't happen. Momentum against us now, derby loss, JJ debacle, now this.

Ian: They were all dreadful - no passion, too predictable. The lack of marking for the Brighton second goal was astonishing.

James: An entirely predictable start to the season after such an underwhelming transfer window. This summer was an opportunity to show intent and build on the promise of last season. Instead, whilst our rivals splashed the cash on established quality, we "rebuilt" our midfield with a squad player and two for the future. The decision to ignore the left-back position completely looks more baffling by the day. A very long season ahead.

John: Rubbish, 2-0 up, sat back and let Brighton run the game, a very professional performance from a much better team.

Brighton fans

Sid: For 75 minutes, Brighton were by far the better team and could have won by a couple more. Another masterclass from coach Fabian Hurzeler and a superb performance from Pascal Gross. He just seems to get better and better with age.

Yorkshire Seagull: After a slow start, a brilliant performance. United couldn't handle the high press. Gross was supreme and marshalled his team, and Jason Steele demonstrated why he is so valuable to us and respected by the fans.

Bob: Usual chaotic start for us, which is a bit worrying as it is happening too often. We gave the ball away too easily but stuck with our gameplan and started to challenge every ball and win. Pascal was brilliant and inspired the rest of the team, who responded with a terrific performance.

Matthew: Some more sloppy mistakes playing out early on were punished, but from then on we dominated and were deserved winners with standout performances from Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas. Hurzeler's team selection and subs were outstanding.

Brian: Took too long to warm up but when they did they never looked as if they were beaten and deserved the win. What a comeback!

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was typical of Michael Carrick that when it was put to him in the aftermath of Manchester United's latest defeat in what has become a torrid start to the season, he should turn the narrative around so the responsibility for the 3-2 loss to Brighton fell on him.

"No, listen, the team's on me," he said. "When we win, people say I'm doing a good job, so if we don't win or don't get results, then a lot of it's on me. I accept that. I'm not hiding away from any of that."

There is no sense at this point United's hierarchy are losing faith with Carrick.

They only gave him a two-year contract in May, so it would represent a startling U-turn if they were, even if the nature of two home defeats in four days - to a Manchester City side reduced to 10 men in the first half, and a Brighton team who became the first in over 50 years to win at Old Trafford after trailing by two goals - is acknowledged by everyone, including Carrick, to be poor.

Instead, the feeling is the players need to step up, both individually and as a team, as performances have not been good enough.

A number of key players - Matheus Cunha and Diogo Dalot are obvious examples but there are others - are way below last year's form. Their most expensive summer recruit, £70m Carlos Baleba, is unlikely to be fit until after the forthcoming international break. Andrey Santos is yet to settle following his £48m move from Chelsea, while Youri Tielemans has not found form yet either after his switch from Aston Villa.

Marcus Rashford has looked lively on his return after 18 months away from the club - but is yet to score.

The decision not to sign a left-back has already been exposed by the injury that has kept Luke Shaw out for three games, with neither Patrick Dorgu nor Noussair Mazraoui convincing in his place.

As ever, results can change narratives.

Win at Fulham on Sunday and a three-week international break offers the chance to reset after a difficult, but not catastrophic, start to the season. Lose and the period that follows will be filled with external debate, with the loudest voices belonging to Carrick's former team-mates.

United have a good record at Craven Cottage. Carrick needs to make sure it continues.

Image source, Getty Images

"We have to be careful to not go too over the top with this result," said former Premier League midfielder Jobi McAnuff after Manchester United threw away a two-goal lead against Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.

A section of United fans made their feelings clear with boos at full-time, with Michael Carrick's team having taken just two wins from six games in all competitions this season.

"Michael Carrick is incredibly experienced," McAnuff told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "He will know the results haven't been anywhere near good enough this season and he will be concerned.

"You cannot win football games if you are conceding two or more goals every week - that is a big problem.

"Everybody at Brighton was on the same page but Manchester United were the complete opposite of that tonight. There were times when Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven were on the ball but had no options. There was a real lack of cohesion and togetherness."

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "The fans were not happy. It was a disappointing performance which they could have lost by more goals, to be fair.

"We can't just throw everything at Michael Carrick. We have to remember the job he did last season when Ruben Amorim was struggling.

"He obviously made changes to give some of his squad players a chance, but it just goes to show that his squad players are not good enough at the moment to have an influence.

"They are conceding goals in the Premier League as well. I don't think the issue is tactical. At the end of the day, they just haven't got it right at the moment."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Luke Shaw could leave Manchester United next summer, with no indication of contract discussions between the club and defender at present. (Mail – subscription required, external)

Meanwhile midfielder Noah Ajayi, 17, is close to signing his first professional contract with United. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after his side's Carabao Cup defeat: "It seems a long time ago now but the start of the game was fantastic. It was everything we hoped for, even more really, in some ways in Shea [Lacey] getting his goal. The night's gone in a different direction but I think for Shea for the moment in the academy and everyone who's been connected with his journey, to have a moment like which he should be celebrating and enjoying a little bit more really to have that start of the game.

"Then we let the game get away from us with the longer the game went. We ended up with a pretty disappointing night. It's obvious for me to say that. We accept that. We can't be in a position like that and lose the game in that manner. I'll understand the disappointments and frustrations. I accept that. That's on me. It'll need to be better than that."

"We can't change that. It's done. We've got to keep evolving as a group. We have to keep learning and dealing with situations. Sometimes they come a bit easier than others. Tonight was a tough one. We didn't find a way out of it. That's up to me and the staff to help the players and guide them through it. I think we all know that in the end tonight feels like a big disappointment.

"We've had small, little things that have gone against us in the last week or two and then it accumulates to feel that it's a lot bigger. I think we have to be honest and say that. The late goal against Everton from outside the box. The Manchester City goal the other day. It can all of a sudden roll into something a bit greater but I understand the disappointment because we shouldn't finish the game in that manner with the position we were in and we have to be humble and take that.

"We have to find the answers for Sunday."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Man Utd's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies.

There are four Carabao Cup third-round ties on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fleetwood Town v Sheffield United

• Coventry City v Aston Villa (20:00)

• Manchester United v Brighton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

There's also Europa League fixtures taking place, with Sunderland in action as the league phase gets under way - follow that here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester United v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the past 24 hours there has been a backlash against JJ Gabriel and his family, for the direction he is taking and around his professionalism and attitude.

Sources close to the player believe this is unfair and overlooks the dedication and commitment that mean he is so well-regarded by so many clubs.

Sources feel that, in meetings with the United hierarchy that led to Gabriel committing his short-term future to the club last summer, promises were made over his career path that have not been kept.

He did start to appear in senior training sessions, initially under Ruben Amorim and then Michael Carrick, but speculation around a senior debut begun last season.

It then had been anticipated that Gabriel would feature during United's pre-season programme.

His absence from the trip to Helsinki to face Wrexham on 18 July was put down to the date he returned for pre-season training. He was part of every squad after that, but played only once, for eight minutes against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm.

Did that lack of action sow the seeds of discontent? Gabriel travelled to Trondheim for the Rosenborg friendly on 24 July and Carrick used 11 substitutes that day, but Gabriel was one of two who did not come on.

It was noted that 18-year-old Tynan Thompson was given a 45-minute senior debut against Leeds at Croke Park - another game Gabriel travelled to but was not involved in - three weeks after his arrival from Tottenham.

Nevertheless, it was felt Gabriel was likely to become United's youngest player this autumn - probably in the Carabao Cup.

While the third-round draw delivered an Old Trafford tie against Brighton, United's Champions League schedule opened up another avenue.

It is conceivable that Azerbaijani champions Sabah could be the least difficult home game United have this season. They were 3-0 up at half-time and Carrick had used all five substitutes by the 72th minute.

But Gabriel was not among them. As with Max Dowman at Arsenal last season, Uefa's registration rules meant that, because he was 15, Gabriel could only feature if he was named on United's A list of players.

United coaches have previously suggested Gabriel is not yet at the physical level required to be a senior player. Sources close to the player reject this.

They also cite Sir Matt Busby saying "if you are good enough, you are old enough" They see how Arsenal gave Dowman his chance at 15 and Bayern Munich gave Lennart Karl his debut at 17 - and wonder why United have not done the same with Gabriel.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Amid all the JJ Gabriel news, it shouldn't be overlooked that three of Manchester United's other young players have had some good news.

Goalkeepers Will Murdock and Fred Heath have signed contracts. It is Murdock's second and Heath's first.

In addition, Dante Plunkett has signed his first professional deal.

Plunkett has had a tough time with injuries and was limited to just 13 appearances across all competitions last season. He is still to feature in this one after having surgery last month, which will rule him out until towards the end of 2026.

However, the 18-year-old - a last-minute substitute in the FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City in May - is clearly highly rated at United.

In addition, Plunkett has also obtained Jamaican citizenship, which will allow him to pursue international honours with them.