Michael Carrick has said Manchester United must address their defensive problems collectively rather than placing responsibility solely on the back line or goalkeeper, speaking in the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Fulham.

The United head coach discussed the team’s recent results, Leny Yoro’s development and an apology over a contentious decision in the draw with Manchester City. The comments were reported in the embargoed section of the press conference by The Peoples Person.

Defensive frailty is a collective issue

Asked about the number of goals United have conceded this season, Carrick accepted that the side had not made the start it wanted. He said improvement was required across the team and stressed that the issue was not confined to the defenders or goalkeeper.

Carrick also rejected the idea that recent results alone proved United have a wider problem with seeing games out. A reporter referenced the defeat to 10-man Manchester City and, separately, the loss of a two-goal lead on Thursday. Carrick said events from a short period should not automatically be treated as evidence of a long-running issue.

He said the team must understand what can happen in different matches and identify what needs correcting. Carrick added that United had scored a fair few goals recently and said the group needed to find a better balance between their attacking output and reducing the number of goals conceded.

No cutoff point for Yoro

Carrick was asked about Yoro and Ayden Heaven after their difficult midweek outing. He said both had started the game well and should not be isolated, describing them as young players with good futures who will learn from both positive and difficult experiences.

On Yoro, who is in his third season at the club, Carrick said the 20-year-old has significant potential and is still learning. He said playing at centre-back for United at such a young age is challenging, but maintained there is no fixed point at which a player must have fully developed.

The head coach said some players reach a high level earlier than others, while others continue developing into their early twenties. He urged caution against making snap judgments based on one game, one half or one moment, and said United have belief in Yoro. Carrick also said Yoro benefits from working with coaches who understand the demands of his position.

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Carrick was also asked whether an admission that a goal against City should not have stood offered any consolation. He said he had faith in the system while acknowledging that one-off decisions can occur.

He said the apology did not mean much in practical terms, although he respected the acknowledgement that the decision was wrong. Carrick described the incident as having had a major impact on that match, but said United could not allow it to affect the rest of the season and must focus on returning to winning ways.

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