The key facts

  • Manchester United have won only 2 of 10 matches in all competitions this season
  • The team made the worst start in 40 years in the top English division
  • Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Rashford, Sesko, Dorgu and Heaven will miss the match against Como

Carrick: 'I don't need assurances'

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick said he does not need assurances from the club's leadership, since he understands that speculation about his future can only be dispelled by wins. 'I know we need to win football matches for everything to fall into place. The good news is that we can influence that,' Carrick said at the pre-match press conference in Italy. 'I don't need any assurances. Everything is crystal clear. I know my role and my responsibility. I don't need anyone to tell me when things are going well and when I need to do better. I know that myself.'

Worst start in 40 years

Ahead of the Champions League away match against Italian side Como on Wednesday, United had recorded only two wins in 10 matches in all competitions this season. The team made the worst start in 40 years in the top English division, was knocked out of the English League Cup last month after losing to Brighton, and last week suffered a convincing defeat to Madrid's Atletico in the Champions League. Carrick was appointed head coach on a permanent basis only in May after an impressive spell as interim manager in the second half of last season, but quickly became yet another manager under pressure at Old Trafford — a club in decline since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013.

Personnel problems

Carrick's attempts to turn things around are hampered by a growing injury list. Lisandro Martinez started in Sunday's 1:1 draw with Leeds despite sharp criticism of the club's transfer activity after the defeat to Atletico, but was substituted at half-time. The Argentine defender will miss the trip to Como, as will Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven.