Michael Carrick gives tetchy interview after 'hurtful' Man Utd defeat at Newcastle
Michael Carrick was visibly irritated during his post-match interview on TNT Sports after Manchester United were beaten by Newcastle in a dramatic game at St James' Park. William Osula's late winner snatched all three points for the Magpies, who were reduced in numbers when Jacob Ramsey was controversially sent off before half-time. A header from Casemiro cancelled out Anthony Gordon's opener from the penalty spot but the Red Devils were unable to stop Osula from breaking their hearts in the closing stages.
The result marked Carrick's first defeat since taking interim charge of United and he was clearly frustrated after the full-time whistle. He appeared to take issue with the line of questioning from TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach in his post-match interview. Carrick looked taken aback when faced with the suggestion that his United side failed to show enough character.
Breach asked: "You've shown so much character in your games. Why was that lacking?" Carrick quickly replied: "It wasn't. It wasn't." A slightly awkward pause followed as Breach could be heard saying: "Okay."
Carrick continued: "It's easy to feel that just because you don't win a game of football. Just general things, the quality."
The former United midfielder gave another tetchy response when asked to explain what was lacking in the performance, if not character.
He snapped: "We've lost one game, alright? We haven't played well enough but in the grand scheme of things, we're in a decent position."
Carrick admitted to being frustrated with his team's display against Newcastle, but refused to make excuses for their poor performance.
"We're not happy with the way we played the game," he said. "The way it panned out, it was in our hands largely, but credit to Newcastle.
"We navigated to be in a position where we felt we should kick on. We didn't, really, so bitterly disappointed. I don't think it was the 10 men, we just didn't play good enough and we can't make excuses."
Carrick was also quick to offer some perspective despite the pain of defeat, with United having won six of their previous seven games.
"Tonight is hurtful but we'll be back for the next one," he added. "You've got to get back at it and work hard and do the things to win the games we've won. We're a good team and we've got good players. Tonight just wasn't for us."
United will be hoping to bounce back and return to winning ways on Sunday, when they host Aston Villa in a game that could prove pivotal in the race for Champions League qualification.
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