Michael Carrick responds to Man Utd relegation fears after Aston Villa draw

Michael Carrick after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)

Michael Carrick downplayed fears Manchester United were in a relegation battle after a remarkable 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League.

United will sit in the relegation zone of the Premier League during the November international break after a thrilling 4-4 draw with Villa at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa twice led by two goals but Manchester United produced two spirited fightbacks to avoid defeat and potentially prolong Carrick’s reign as manager.

Goals from Brazilian winger Alysson and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson put Villa 2-0 up inside five minutes but the hosts were level by half-time thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and Youri Tielemans equaliser against his former club.

John McGinn restored Aston Villa’s lead just after half-time and the visitors appeared to have the game wrapped up when Leon Goretzka scored a fourth on 53 minutes.

But injury-time goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu saw Manchester United salvage a point and avoid a third successive league defeat.

The comeback rivalled the one United produced in the Champions League against Roma during the week but it remains to be seen whether it saves Carrick his job.

Man Utd scored two injury-time goals at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)

Despite avoiding defeat, the Red Devils slip to 18th in the Premier League after ten games, their lowest position at the stage of a campaign since 1986.

Carrick’s side have also gone eight league games without a win, matching a run they have endured just once before in the Premier League.

‘I’m disappointed that we haven’t won the game,’ Carrick said. ‘We looked the better team for long parts of it and we’re making it difficult for ourselves with the goals that we’re giving away.

Aston Villa twice led by two goals (Picture: Getty)

‘We’re not just giving away one, it’s two in succession that put us in such a difficult position. We did it the other night, we did it again today and have come back into the game and had a lot of the game, could have won it at the end.

‘So I’m disappointed we haven’t won the game. It’s just moments that we need to tighten up on. Individual moments where we’re giving teams goals that we don’t normally get.

‘If we tighten up that, there’s a lot of good in that performance. I thought we should have won the game. But conceding the goals we are is not helping us at all.

"That's not going to happen" 🗣️Michael Carrick responds to the notion that he could resign as Manchester United head coach 🔴 pic.twitter.com/q1fBKSXL7l— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 8, 2026

‘We have got to tighten up, it’s pretty obvious to say that. It’s giving us too much to do in games. But I thought we did a lot and feel that we should have won the game.’

Asked whether he feels Manchester United are in a relegation battle, Carrick added: ‘We’re in November. I don’t like this situation or the results but we can definitely do something about it.’

Responding to Carrick’s post-match interview, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said: ‘It’s obviously difficult for the manager. He’s under pressure, no doubt