Carrick opens up on chats with Ferguson and Solskjaer amid United struggles

United have made their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, which was compounded by a heavy 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The defeat has pushed Carrick closer to the brink at Old Trafford, with United now weighing up managerial alternatives in preparation for a potential sacking.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

United take on Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, and Carrick desperately needs a win to avoid the chopping block.

On Friday, he spoke to the media ahead of that game and delivered a stirring speech before his press conference began, a rallying cry to his team to take responsibility for the poor results.

Carrick touched on the club's history and later revealed he's in regular contact with legendary former United manager Ferguson, who signed him as a player, and Solskjaer, who appointed him as a coach when he was United manager.

"I speak to both of them quite regularly, to be honest," Carrick said. "There's nothing in particular from that. I'm close to both of them and we do have regular conversations. It's nothing different this week.

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When Carrick was asked why he chose to deliver a speech before his press conference he said: "Because I understand the situation, you know, I fully understand the situation and I understand my position and I know what this football club means to so, so many people.

"And I don't, again, please don't say that the history is one thing and that's why. It doesn't give you the right to keep winning. Teams that win earn the right to win.

"So it's important that we draw inspiration from the history and the past of what's gone on. But our responsibility is to carry that forward and it's so, so important to me that we do that."