Carrick says he is relishing Roma test despite United’s nine-game winless run

Michael Carrick says he is looking forward to Manchester United’s Champions League match against Roma, despite the club’s worst run without a win in nearly four decades.

United have gone nine games without victory in all competitions and are 17th in the Premier League. After defeats by Atlético Madrid and Como, they sit 21st in the Champions League table after three matches; the top 24 progress.

Carrick said he understood that his outlook might sound “crazy” given the results, but wanted to treat Tuesday’s match at Old Trafford as a chance to change the season’s direction. “Whatever happens is going to happen in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow,” he said.

United have not gone 10 matches without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78. Roma, meanwhile, have lost once this season: at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League last month, when they led 3-1 with seven minutes remaining.

Carrick also defended Lisandro Martínez after the defender’s red card at Chelsea prompted calls for him to be dropped. “Things happen in football,” he said, adding that he did not question the commitment of Martínez or the rest of the squad. “We need to play better. We can make better decisions. But commitment’s not a thing at all.”

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who returned from a four-match absence as a substitute against Chelsea, said United were “one win away from changing” their season. He called the club’s current position unacceptable for a side of United’s stature.