Manchester United manager Michael Carrick stated that he expected the team to go through a difficult period this season following an unsuccessful start to the campaign.
Carrick secured a permanent position after a successful interim spell at the end of last season, which saw the club finish third in the Premier League and return to the Champions League.
However, United has only earned four points in the first four matches of this season and was eliminated from the League Cup after a 3-2 defeat to Brighton mid-week, as they conceded a two-goal lead at Old Trafford for the first time in 50 years.
Before traveling to Fulham, Carrick noted: 'History shows that any successful team goes through periods that need to be endured, overcome, and improved upon.' He added that they had recently experienced a short stretch that did not meet the desired results.
The former midfielder for United and the England national team also expressed regret over his team's bad luck in recent weeks. United received swift apologies from the referees after Erling Haaland's winning goal for Manchester City last week was incorrectly awarded because the VAR officials missed an offside against Enzo Fernandez during the play.
Carrick's team also failed to earn three points against Everton last Sunday, as Toffees defender Ainslie Maitland-Niles scored an impressive long-range goal into the top corner.
'It's a week or two; games haven't gone in our favour,' Carrick continued. 'It's tiny margins in some of these games. We will get through it. Winning matches is always the answer; it can hide a lot at certain moments.' He concluded: 'Sometimes it is these small disappointments that lead to something bigger. It is part of adapting and being in such a great football club.'
Luke Shaw's return from injury could strengthen the squad ahead of the visit to Craven Cottage. Furthermore, Carlos Baleba is vying for his first starting spot after his transfer from Brighton for 70 million pounds ($95 million).
