Michael Carrick and the Pressure at Manchester United in the Premier League to Atlético in the Champions League

The Manchester United coach assured that the pressure surrounding the club should be seen as a privilege and not a burden

A complicated present in the Premier League

Manchester United is experiencing a start to the season that is far from what was expected. After the 1-1 draw against Tottenham, who played with ten men and had not yet won in the league, the "Red Devils" have only accumulated six points in six matches. The only domestic victory was against newly promoted Ipswich Town, while in the League Cup they were eliminated after wasting a two-goal lead against Brighton at Old Trafford. The inconsistency is worrying, and the fans made it known with boos after the last match.

Pressure as a privilege

Michael Carrick, United's coach, chose a different approach to the crisis. "Of course, we expected much more, but we are where we are. I knew a more complicated, stickier period was going to come. We have to get through it," he stated. And he added: "I understand that when things are not going well, there is a clamor that everything is a disaster and must be changed. But that's not our mentality, at least not mine."

Asked if he feels the pressure, Carrick was clear: "It depends on how you define it. We want to be part of something successful, there's no negativity in that. To achieve something great, you have to go through difficult times. I love this part: when everything is against you, you see who really wants to be here in the long run."

The European challenge against Atlético de Madrid

The 4-0 thrashing against Sabah in the Champions League debut provided some relief, but the upcoming match against Atlético de Madrid in Spain puts the team back under scrutiny. United has never managed to defeat Simeone's team in European competitions (two draws and two losses), which increases the tension ahead of the match. Carrick knows this and seeks to turn the pressure into motivation: "The fans are desperate to see results and we must give them reasons to be hopeful. We must embrace the challenges to get to where we want to be. I totally believe that we are going to move forward."

On Tuesday, at the Wanda Metropolitano, United will have the opportunity to show that pressure, far from being a burden, can become a driving force for greatness.