Michael Carrick has said his future as Manchester United head coach is “not important” ahead of a crucial clash against Leeds United.
Man United head to Elland Road on Sunday with Carrick under pressure following a run of five games without a win.
Another poor result will ramp up the questions about his suitability for the role, but Carrick insists his own job prospects are the last thing on his mind.
“I really don’t take it about me,” Carrick told a news conference on Friday.
“It’s not that. I don’t think about, ‘How am I going to get through this? How am I going to survive this? What do I need to do to look after myself?’ It’s not important. It’s about this football club and winning football matches.”
As well as dealing with the fallout from Lisandro MartÃnez‘s explosive criticism of director of football Jason Wilcox this week, Carrick has also had to diffuse controversy stirred up by Nicky Butt.
The former England midfielder claimed Carrick told him management was “not for him” before taking the United job in January — something Carrick quickly denied.
– Dawson: Is MartÃnez’s outburst a sign of chaos to come for Man United and Carrick?
– MartÃnez’s comments ‘not that far off’ but should not have been made – Peter Schmeichel
– Man United ‘a circus’ amid Lisandro MartÃnez rant – Roy Keane
“I definitely wouldn’t be here if that was the case, would I?” he said.
“It’s the best role I could possibly have. I feel a real privilege of being in this position and a real responsibility, but equally a drive of wanting to make a difference and having success here. So, yeah, I’m loving it.
“If you’re not ready for that and you can’t do anything that’s difficult, then you’re never going to be great. So we’ve got to work our way through it and I’m enjoying it as we go.”
