Manchester United’s players reportedly believe they have ‘let Michael Carrick down’ in recent weeks with their performances and displays. The interim United boss got off to a flying start, winning his first four matches in charge after taking over from Ruben Amorim.

A disappointing draw away to relegation-threatened West Ham squashed hopes of a fifth win in a row, but they still made it seven matches unbeaten with wins over Everton and Crystal Palace in their next two. However, United suffered their first defeat under Carrick in mid-week, when the Red Devils were humiliated away to Newcastle, who spent most of the match playing with 10 men.

It was an unwelcome return to the sort of performances United had become accustomed to under Amorim, with Carrick’s side serving up a lacklustre display in the North East. According to those close to the United camp though, their excuse for the mid-week defeat is that they haven’t been playing enough matches.

United didn’t finish inside the European spots last season, and as a result of their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, were forced to go without continental competition this time...