Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that his position as Manchester United head coach is under immediate threat, despite a run of poor results. United have suffered defeats against Brighton and Manchester City, alongside earlier dropped points, but Carrick said the club’s focus should be on finding solutions and improving performances rather than assigning blame.

Carrick was also asked about 15-year-old JJ Gabriel’s possible move to Barcelona, saying the teenager’s wellbeing was the priority. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised 16-year-old Max Dowman’s “extraordinary” progress after he scored twice against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup; Dowman has balanced first-team football with completing his GCSEs and plans to study for a BTec.