Michael Carrick has called on his Manchester United teammates to produce a response against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.
Jose Mourinho’s men have lost consecutive away games for the first time this season following blunt edged displays against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
And with a crucial trip to Sevilla on the horizon, alongside a home clash with Chelsea next weekend, the prospect of defeat feels doubly ominous for Man United supporters in this moment in time.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Carrick made it clear that United simply had to produce a response against David Wagner’s side.
“There is definitely a determination to put it right,” he said. “You can’t ignore the fact that, when you have a bad result or two, here there is criticism and scrutiny that comes with it.
“You expect it and get used to it. The feeling from me and the lads in general is a determination to get back out there and put it right and bounce back. You can’t sit and mope about it. It is what it is and that’s why we play for this club. There is a responsibility to do well and you have to deal with it.”
The days following defeat at St James’ Park have felt long and saturated with prattle surrounding Mourinho and Paul Pogba – two crucial personalities at odds with each other, a minus and a minus, seemingly capable of derailing United’s season if something doesn’t budge.
During a week where English teams have impressed in the Champions League, the narrative of this season – helped by an incessant social media frenzy – appears to have become growingly toxic.
And with two massive games coming up, United desperately need an injection of positivity on Saturday.