Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledged the resilience shown by his team in their 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United on October 18 but conceded that the club’s recent struggles reflect deeper issues. The draw, earned at Elland Road, marked only one win in seven league matches for United, leaving them in an unexpectedly low 13th place in the standings—well below the expectations set by their third-place finish last season.

Carrick, 45, admitted that the team failed to display the technical quality they are capable of, particularly in terms of ball control and possession. However, he found positive signs in the players’ discipline and collective effort during a high-pressure match against a local rival.

“Maybe if you talk about top quality, maybe it wasn’t top, top quality that I think we are capable of playing,” Carrick said. “With the results we’ve had, we weren’t quite flowing, but there’s enough in there to take from it.”

The result followed a challenging week for the club, including a 1-1 home draw with bottom-placed Tottenham Hotspur and a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Compounding the difficulties was off-field tension created by defender Lisandro Martinez, who publicly criticized the club’s leadership before subsequently apologizing.

Against this backdrop, Carrick emphasized the team’s structural discipline over stylistic flair. United appeared more difficult to penetrate defensively, with players adhering closely to their tactical roles in what he described as a tense and evenly contested game.

“It’s a bit more than just effort. It is the way you go about it—the plan, the responsibilities, the roles. I thought the boys took that responsibility on really well for the most part,” Carrick said.

Despite the improved defensive organization, United’s persistent weaknesses in maintaining possession and capitalizing on opportunities were evident. They conceded an equalizer from a set-piece and were unable to assert control over the match, resulting in another missed opportunity for a much-needed victory.

Still, Carrick stressed that the team remains united amid the challenges. “I suppose you’re looking at the togetherness, the spirit, the unit. I don’t doubt that within the group,” he said. “The way that we went about it today gives me a lot of belief in us moving forward.”

Manchester United will next face Italian side Como in the Champions League on October 21.