Manchester United manager Michael Carrick rejected claims that his squad lacks fitness after a 1-1 draw at Fulham, while former defender Gary Neville blasted the team's effort. Carrick emphasized the need for improvement without attributing the poor start to conditioning.
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 stalemate at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026, after an own‑goal from Lisandro Martínez in the 89th minute was followed by a deflected strike from Matheus Cunha that secured a point. The result marked United’s third game without a win, leaving them twelfth in the Premier League with five points.
Carrick refutes fitness concerns
In the post‑match interview, United’s manager Michael Carrick dismissed any suggestion that the squad’s early‑season slump is due to a lack of fitness. He said, “I don’t think we’re out of shape. The players are training hard and we’ll keep working on improving them,” echoing comments reported by ESPN and MSN earlier in the day (ESPN, 2026‑09‑20; MSN, 2026‑09‑20). Carrick also stressed that the team created enough chances to win, noting that the own‑goal was an unfortunate moment rather than a symptom of poor conditioning.
Former United defender Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, was far less forgiving, branding the side’s effort an “absolute disgrace” and describing the first hour of the second half as “the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen” (Daily Mail, 2026‑09‑20). Neville called for a structural reset, implying that United’s lack of intensity was a deeper issue than fitness alone.
Carrick responded to Neville’s criticism by highlighting positive signs from the match, such as the team’s resilience in the closing stages and the defensive work that forced multiple saves from Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. He warned that the “first chapter” of the season is still unfolding and that the squad must learn from the draw to avoid further setbacks.
Looking ahead, Carrick said the next three weeks will focus on training and tactical adjustments, with no immediate transfer moves expected. He concluded that United must “take the positives, improve the negatives, and keep pushing” as they head into the international break.