MANCHESTER UNITED boss Michael Carrick insisted that he “won’t be holding individuals accountable” after his 10-man team lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
After falling behind in the first minute, the Red Devils ended the game a man down after defender Lenny Yoro was dismissed for a last-man challenge on substitute Jonathan David in the second half.
Former Everton striker Ademola Lookman added a second with 11 minutes to play to put the game beyond United’s reach.
With the result extending Carrick’s winless run to five games, the former England international defended his squad after another poor result.
“We started the game poorly and gave ourselves a lot to do,” Carrick reflected at full-time. “Travelling to last year’s semi-finalists, we knew we couldn’t let that happen.
“I thought we responded and grew into the game really well after that. You could argue that we had the better chances in the game, pretty much four one-on-ones.
“Bryan [Mbeumo] had a couple and Bruno [Fernandes] had one more. If they put those away, the game looks a lot different.
“There’s obviously things we can do better, but until the red card, I thought the game was still very much in the balance. That had a major impact on us.
“I don’t see it as being a red. I really don’t agree with the decision. It was a very soft and slow incident and neither player was moving quickly or directly.
“The result today wasn’t an individual thing. Players can miss chances and make mistakes. If we keep doing the right things, the results will come.”
Looking to Leeds
The result saw United slip to seventh in the Champions League table as they prepare for a Premier League clash with rivals Leeds on Sunday.
United sit 13th in the domestic standings, six places below their Yorkshire opponents, and Carrick is keen to get his side back into the top half.
“If we’re honest, results like tonight can happen. We came to a really good team with an outstanding track record in this competition.
“But there were definite positives from us, and we have to take those into the next game and learn from the mistakes that cost us the result.
“We have a fantastic game on Sunday to look forward to and prepare for. It will galvanise everybody to push in the right direction.
“We can win games. We will win games. It’s our job now to make that happen.”
