Harry Maguire points finger for Man Utd loss and speaks out on Michael Carrick's future

· Mirror

Manchester United were beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford by Bournemouth, putting even more pressure on struggling boss Michael Carrick

Harry Maguire has voiced his support for Michael Carrick amid mounting calls for the Manchester United manager to be sacked. The Red Devils fell to yet another Premier League defeat at the hands of Bournemouth, with their last win in the league coming in August against Ipswich Town.

The Cherries ran out emphatic 3-0 winners at Old Trafford, with goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson putting the seal on a miserable afternoon for the home side. Despite this representing Carrick's third Premier League defeat in eight games, Maguire remains firmly in his manager's corner and believes the players themselves must shoulder the blame for their recent poor form.

Reacting to the game on BBC MOTD, he said: "We're fully behind Michael [Carrick], coming into the team last season he turned things around and got Champions League football this season. As individuals, we're not playing well enough."

Maguire also gave a scathing overview of their Old Trafford display, stating that there was a crisis of confidence within the dressing room. He said: "Very disappointed. Coming to the game we wanted to get a win for our fans and to concede another set play for the first goal is not good enough.

> "We have to remain focused and when things aren't going your way you can't be giving away set plays. The second goal is a mistake and then we're 2-0 down at half time and we couldn't react. There's a lack of confidence at the moment - the results, the performances we have to look at ourselves and find something within ourselves to bring more to the team.

> "That's every player that I'm talking about. When things aren't going your way you have to do the basics well and conceding set plays, a simple set play is just nowhere near good enough.

> "It's an individual thing - we have to stick together as a team. So early on in the season - we can still have a good season but something has got to change quick. It's been disappointing, that has to change."

Carrick shouldered his share of the blame for the woeful result, conceding he feels a sense of "responsibility" for the way things are currently unfolding at United. He told Sky Sports: "It was a strange, mixed of emotions at the end of the game. It wasn't a nice way to end the game.

> "It was a tough day for the players. We went into the game having been rocked. You can feel that. They're really hurting and disappointed in there. It's not a nice feeling. You have to accept it, we're in that situation."

He added: "It's really difficult to have a day like this at this football club and feel the emotion and dynamics of what it was like today. Not for me personally but for Manchester United.

> "It was really mixed. I feel responsibility with the position I'm in. I've been at the club a long time. It hurts a lot going through this."

Manchester United have a challenging fixture ahead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, followed by a home Champions League clash with Roma.

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