Michael Carrick addressed the media at Carrington for his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Manchester United are on the road again this weekend, seeking ...
Michael Carrick addressed the media at Carrington for his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
Manchester United are on the road again this weekend, seeking their first away win of the 2026/27 campaign.
Michael Carrick’s side take on Everton, who are unbeaten in their first two matches, with four points from a possible six.
In comparison, United have three points, but can leapfrog Everton by making it two wins in two. Here are the three main takeaways from Carrick’s pre-match press conference.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Although Benjamin Sesko officially returned to action on August 22, after sustaining a shin injury at the start of May during United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool, he hasn’t reached full fitness yet.
That same injury kept Sesko out of all pre-season friendlies, so Carrick has had to manage his minutes with two substitute cameos.
It remains to be seen if Sesko will make his first start of the 2026/27 season against Everton, but Carrick is happy with the progress he’s making in training.
“Ben is improving his fitness all the time,” Carrick told reporters.
“He had some time off, which was important to make sure it was right moving forward and no setbacks. You can never guarantee that, but give him a chance to be fit.
“He made big strides last season; he’s still young, still adapting to a point, learning, and developing his game. Loads more to come from Ben. It’s just being patient, looking after him and letting him grow into the season.”
Despite being heavily linked with a transfer this summer, Joshua Zirkzee remains at Old Trafford.
Carrick sent a warm message of encouragement to Zirkzee during the press conference, making it clear the Netherlands international is valued at United.
Carrick said: “Josh is important. It’s the team, the squad, the depth for the whole season.
“Josh is happy here, I have a really good relationship with him. He wants to play more than he has done. That’s the healthy competition for places.
“We have a lot of games coming up and a shorter period between games. Josh can do some really top things. I’ve seen it myself and I look forward to him doing it a little bit more.”
Carrick has primarily used Patrick Dorgu on the left wing, even though the Denmark international was signed as a left-wing back, meaning he has the ability to play at left back.
The press pack were keen to find out whether Carrick views Dorgu as a left-back, only for the head coach to hail the Dane’s versatility.
“He can certainly play there, he has done and I am not saying he can’t do that,” he added.
“The way we’ve worked since I’ve been here, he’s unfortunately been injured for some time. For me, he’s almost like a new player to have, like a new signing in some ways because he’s added so much to the group.
“He played off the right for Denmark and scored a great goal in the summer; he can play left-back. He can do many things. At some point he might have to do that. There are times in training when he does it. He’s only young and having the attributes he has got, we have to try and get the most out of him.”
Carrick never played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but he can remember the many battles he fought at Goodison Park throughout his career.
He’s warned his players to expect exactly that when they take on Everton and showed respect towards United manager David Moyes, whom he played under.
Carrick concluded: “However long I have been going to Everton, every game is as tough as it comes. Whatever position they are in, historically it has been tough. David is a terrific manager. They’ve got some talent, some very good attacking players as well. We’re expecting as tough a game as it gets.”
