Speaking ahead of Manchester United‘s FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury on Monday, Michael Carrick has admitted that the Red Devils face further humiliation unless they improve their performance.
United were defeated by relegation-threatened Sunderland last weekend, and were humbled in midweek when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Danish side and European minnows FC Midtjylland.
Memphis Depay fired Louis van Gaal’s side into the lead in the Europa League clash, but goals from Pione Sisto and Ebere Paul Onuachu handed United a miserable defeat.
Thursday’s loss leaves United’s Europa League participation hanging by a thread, and with it, their chances of securing Champions League qualification next season appear to be slimming, with United currently six points off the top four places in the Premier League.
United could save face in the FA Cup when they meet lower league Shrewsbury on Monday, but considering the nature of their recent showing and the squad’s considerable injury absentees, Carrick has reminded his teammates that nothing is guaranteed.
“Monday is a different game, but we do need to be so much better than we were,” Carrick began, as per the Mirror.
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“We know what Monday is going to be. It’s been shown many times [when lower league teams face bigger sides in the FA Cup] so we know what to expect. It’s going to be a tough game.
“If you’re not anywhere near your best then you can slip up and we need to be ready for that. We know what to expect. It’s not going to be an easy game.
“If we’re at our best then we should win the game, but it’s not as easy as that.”