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Carrick and Yoro on Atletico Madrid Champions League trip
12/10/2026
UEFA 26 champions league
12/10/2026
UEFA 26 champions league
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SportsTranscript
00:04Welcome to the press conference, raise your hand if you want to ask a question, try and get around everyone.
00:10Start with Samuel, on the front row there.
00:18Hi Michael, I know at training today, Kobimenu and Luke Shaw didn't participate.
00:23Are you able to confirm whether they've travelled or whether they're out for the game tomorrow night?
00:27Yeah, they've not travelled, both picked up issues in the game on Saturday, so we're kind of working through that
00:34to see what that looks like at the moment.
00:38They're not ready for the game tomorrow.
00:40I saw that you've taken Dan Armour and Matthijs Litt, it looks like he's back in the squad.
00:45Are you light on numbers because obviously you can pick 23 players for the Champions League games?
00:50No, we're not light on numbers, no.
00:55Of course we've got a couple of issues with some players missing out, but we're definitely not light on numbers.
01:01I think it's good for the likes of Dan to be a part of it and the younger players to
01:04sample it.
01:05These type of nights, building up to the game, be around the group, get a sense of it, get a
01:10feel for it.
01:11So it's good to have Mattel back in and around it. He's been out for a long period of time
01:15and a little bit of patience with him and working through it.
01:18But again, for him to be back around it, it's fantastic. He's worked so hard to get to this stage
01:23and he's had a long journey.
01:25So we're delighted to have him back.
01:26Just one more for me, if I may, on Matthijs. Is he at a level now where he would be
01:32able to come into a game, where you'd be comfortable with him playing?
01:36I'm definitely comfortable with him playing. Of course, I think there is the element of when that time is and
01:43how much it is.
01:44I think he's played a little bit of the Lausanne game, he's done a fair bit of training.
01:51But of course, it's working our way through it and not too much too soon.
01:56But we've definitely got the confidence in him, there's no doubt about that.
02:00Evening, Michael. Just looking back at the Spurs game and ahead to tomorrow as well, have you been able to
02:06put your finger on it as to the lack of performance,
02:09especially at the start, to ensure you do start strong tomorrow evening?
02:14I would definitely need to start strong tomorrow evening.
02:16I think it's pretty obvious that coming to a place like this against a very good team with a lot
02:22of experience in this competition,
02:23and we know what we're expecting tomorrow night.
02:29We'll be ready for it. The boys are ready for it.
02:31I think the way we responded in the second half in particular, I think you could see that.
02:37That gives me a lot of faith that I had already in the boys, the hungry and the eager to
02:43put things right.
02:44And just a question for Lenny as well.
02:46Lenny, first of all, congrats on your debut for France over the break.
02:50I just wonder from the players' perspective, there's so much positivity going into the season.
02:55Have you guys had meetings away from training, away from the staff, just to talk about improving the slow start
03:02to the season?
03:03Yeah, I think this is something really important as a team.
03:07Sometimes we have to speak, say the truth, and this is something we did.
03:10This is something we're going to do in the future as well.
03:15But yeah, this is something we had to do.
03:17Elizabeth?
03:18Hello, I'm Elizabeth Conway from BBC Sport.
03:21Michael, do you feel pressure surrounding United's results?
03:25Do you feel the pressure is affecting the players?
03:28And how are you looking to restore that confidence ahead of a tough run of fixtures?
03:33It kind of depends on how you define pressure, to be honest.
03:35I think there's our own expectation.
03:37We know what we want, what we're capable of doing as a team, what we expect as a group and
03:43as a football club.
03:44And that comes from us.
03:47I certainly don't look outside or elsewhere of what it should look like.
03:52I know fine well exactly what it should look like.
03:54I've felt it and I've felt the ups and I've felt the downs.
03:59So I don't feel the pressure from that at all.
04:03It's us wanting to succeed and we want to win and we want to be part of something successful.
04:08So that's the drive.
04:11There's no negativity around that.
04:13You know, it's a pure embracing the challenge and being excited about what we can possibly do.
04:18And there's going to be times when it doesn't go for you.
04:21There's going to be times when it's a bit of a struggle.
04:22But to get to anywhere, to do something very good, to do something great, you know, you've got to be
04:28able to do something difficult.
04:29And if you can't do something difficult and get through it, then you're not going to succeed.
04:33And that's where we've had a bit of a spell at the moment.
04:36And we're hugely positive.
04:39The boys have got the confidence in each other and I've got the utmost belief in them.
04:44And it's very fine lines, you know, that we didn't start the game very well the other day.
04:49And we all acknowledge that.
04:51The last three goals we've kind of conceded really in the league have all been avoidable.
04:56And that changes things an awful lot.
04:59So, it's very fine margins, you know.
05:02But I've got the utmost of confidence in the boys that we can win games and win a lot of
05:07games.
05:08And I just wanted to ask you about Bruno Fernandes.
05:11Obviously, last season, he won the PFA Player of the Year.
05:15His form was, he was on form.
05:16This season, you would think it's fair to say that that form has changed.
05:20What do you put that down to?
05:22And what do you, do you think he's able to reach that form that we saw last season?
05:27Yeah, I mean, it's pretty obvious to say that he can, yeah.
05:31I mean, he's a top player, Bruno.
05:34And sometimes things don't quite go for you, you know.
05:37And sometimes you have a spell of that.
05:38And he's done some incredible things for this football club.
05:42And he'll do the same in the future, there's no doubt about it.
05:46Just one behind there in the white polo shirt.
05:49Yeah, just there.
05:52Hello, Michael.
05:53Marcelo de Valde, D'Ossio de Valera.
05:54You had the opportunity to face Atletico Madrid during the preseason.
05:59And I was wondering, what's the difference are you expecting to find in tomorrow's game?
06:07Yeah, I think preseason is preseason, you know, and largely the actual teams themselves,
06:14maybe the individuals within the teams are going to be slightly different.
06:16There's certain principles within the game that maybe there's a similarity,
06:21but the whole intensity, the feeling, the emotion taken into the game.
06:26And the general energy in the game will be a totally different game.
06:30And I know what the stadium can do and has luck from afar in Champions League nights.
06:37And we need to be ready for that.
06:39And it'll be a very different feeling to what that was preseason.
06:42Hi, Michael. Just behind.
06:44Just wondering if you'd had any update on Benjamin Sesko's prognosis
06:48and when you're going to expect to see him back?
06:50No, we're still waiting during this week, really, to do a few extra tests.
06:54So, we obviously, you know, we need to be right on top of it
06:59and make sure we keep doing the right things.
07:02I think get Bam back as soon as we can.
07:04But at this moment, I haven't really got a better timeframe for you.
07:08Obviously, the club did some good business in the summer,
07:10but I think when a lot of people looked at it,
07:12they were concerned about left back and striker depth.
07:15Do you think, one, do you understand frustration?
07:18And secondly, do you believe you have the depth to cover those areas,
07:22Luke Shaw and Benjamin out?
07:24Yeah, I mean, when it comes to transfer windows,
07:27when it comes to building a squad, I think there's a process.
07:30I think it depends a little bit as well of where you get the injuries,
07:36at what stage, and the number of them in certain positions,
07:39and all of a sudden, it can look different.
07:40You know, we can look very strong in a certain position,
07:43and then a week later, it might look different,
07:46and then questions get asked, so I get up.
07:49We had to assemble a squad, and we have assembled a squad
07:52that will see us through, and we can adapt,
07:55and we've got players that can step in if we need to,
07:59or we can adjust and we can adapt,
08:00and if that arises, then we'll find a way and we'll do that.
08:05That's just part of working through the season.
08:08Hello, Michael here.
08:09Gonzalo Palafos, Onda Cero.
08:11I want to ask you, how do you perceive the figure
08:18of Diego Pablo Simeone, also the work that he has done here,
08:21in Atletico Madrid, during the last 15 years,
08:23and if in Manchester, in England,
08:26you see Atletico Madrid as one of the great favorites
08:28to win the Champions this year?
08:33Yeah, I have a huge amount of respect for the coach, Diego,
08:40and how he's been here for such a long period of time,
08:43and to do it over a long period of time to build,
08:46sometimes it takes time, you know,
08:49we're in a position now where we're trying to build
08:51and we want to progress and we want to be strong
08:53and keep getting stronger,
08:55and I think the fact that he's been here for so long,
08:58you can see his imprint on the team and the whole club,
09:01and they have a fantastic history in this competition,
09:04and, you know, they're really dangerous in this competition,
09:07I think that's shown.
09:10So, to have that as our first away game
09:13is a great test for us and a great challenge for us
09:15that we're really looking forward to.
09:19Question for Lenny, for me.
09:21Right-back against Tottenham, how was that for you?
09:23I know you did it in pre-season a little bit,
09:25but what's the role like for you,
09:27and do you think that's a position you can play in in future?
09:31Yeah, this is a position I can play.
09:35If I play centre-back or right-back, I'm ready anyway.
09:37This is a position I like to play as well.
09:40This is different things to do, of course,
09:42but you have to adapt and I think, yeah,
09:47I have to be ready every time if you're on the pitch.
09:49So, whatever the position, I'm ready to play and I'm happy to play.
09:53So, yeah, there's no problem for me.
09:55And then just on Michael, I know you touched on Bruno there,
09:57but is he fully fit?
09:59It feels like maybe, I know he missed a game for Portugal,
10:02but then played three 90 minutes.
10:04What's his fitness like at the moment?
10:07Yeah, I mean, I've seen there was a lot made of it.
10:09I think he was carrying something.
10:12I think that's pretty...
10:15It happens a lot.
10:16People don't maybe realise it, but it happens a lot.
10:18Players play with issues.
10:19I've played myself.
10:21I've probably played 80% of the games with some sort of issue
10:23as you go through your career.
10:24It's not ideal, but it's kind of manageable.
10:27Some players are able to play with a bit more or a bit less than others
10:31and Bruno was able to play the games
10:33and that's the commitment that he's got to do that.
10:37So, yeah, he's pretty much over it.
10:41Still there slightly, but as I said, I could go through the whole squad
10:44at this point and there'll be little bits here and there.
10:49So, right now, it's not a major deal.
10:51He's in good shape and he was really bright this morning
10:53and I'm looking forward to the game.
10:56Ty?
10:57Hi, Michael.
10:58We're only really sat here with United in the Champions League
11:01because of what you and the players achieved in the second half of last season
11:04and how successful that was.
11:05Now we're sat here eight games into the season
11:07talking about you being under pressure and what's going wrong
11:10and how it might be fixed.
11:10Are you surprised at how quickly it's kind of reached a point
11:14where we're having these conversations this season?
11:18I'm surprised.
11:19You're never surprised.
11:20Of course, we hope for a lot more.
11:21You know, I've said it to you over the last few weeks.
11:23We hope for a lot more.
11:24We've expected a lot more.
11:25We are where we are as well.
11:27And I was well aware that it was the chances of it going in that direction
11:33of winning as many games and constantly winning games as we had.
11:35There was going to be a period when it was going to become a little bit more challenging,
11:40a little bit stickier.
11:41That's part of it.
11:44Football and building something takes a journey and you've got to overcome things.
11:49You know, I'm sat here with a coach here that's been here a long, long time
11:54and I'm sure there's times when there's been waves when it hasn't quite gone to plan.
12:00They've had huge successes in winning leagues and being around the late stages of Champions League.
12:06But they'll have had times when it hasn't gone quite to plan.
12:08We've got teams in our league that have had success, but it hasn't necessarily always been in one direction.
12:15And I understand when it's not going too well, there's a real kind of clamour and a real feeling of
12:24it's a disaster and it's all wrong and everything needs to be changed.
12:29I kind of get that, obviously, but that's not in our mindset.
12:33That's certainly not in my mindset.
12:34I think, as I've said, to achieve anything really, you've got to be able to deal with things that are
12:40difficult
12:40and you've got to overcome things.
12:42That's just part of it.
12:43I did it throughout my career, you know, and just to be here.
12:47You know, Lenny sat here with me now.
12:49He's grown up as players and you have big challenges and it's not...
12:52He's made his France debut last week.
12:54We're delighted for him.
12:55It's an unbelievable achievement.
12:57He wouldn't have played every game at the top, top of his level and won every single game together,
13:01but he gets there, you know.
13:03We can't lose sight of the journey.
13:05We need to do something about it now and accept the reality and we win games.
13:09Of course we do.
13:11As I've said, the last three goals we've probably conceded are all goals where,
13:15you know, we can definitely do something about.
13:17We know that.
13:18The boys know that.
13:19And that's had a major impact on what the league all of a sudden looks like.
13:22So that wasn't happening last season, you know, and it can be the difference.
13:28But I love this part of sometimes when it's not quite going against you.
13:36If you see who's really there, you see within the group, the players, the squad, the club,
13:42who's really there and who wants to be here for the long term and is really attached to it
13:46and really means something.
13:47And the supporters are there.
13:49They want it.
13:51They're desperate for it.
13:52And we've got to give them something.
13:54So I think you've got to sometimes embrace the challenges to get to where you want to be.
13:58And we're right there now in the middle of it.
14:01But I totally believe that we'll come through it.
14:05One over there.
14:07Hola, Michael.
14:07Por aquí.
14:08Por aquí.
14:09En español.
14:11¿Qué tal?
14:12Javi Gómez para la cadena Copia aquí en España.
14:14Le quería preguntar por un eterno debate que hay aquí en España siempre y es sobre si el Atlético
14:19de Madrid usted lo ve al mismo nivel que el Madrid y el Barça, cuando lo ven desde fuera?
14:26Y también hablamos muchas veces de que Simeone, el entrenador del Atlético, es algo parecido a Ferguson allí.
14:34Allí se habla también de esa figura tan grande como aquí, que es la del Cholo Simeone.
14:38¿Por qué?
14:38He's such a big character in Spain.
14:42Yeah, as I said before, I think the respect there has definitely spread to our country, for sure.
14:50It's definitely spread to me.
14:51I think the respect for the coach is very big.
14:53I think what he's achieved.
14:57It's difficult to say in terms of Barcelona and Real have a lot of titles,
15:02and maybe in terms of trophies that lack a little bit more,
15:05but for sure playing against them we don't treat them any different.
15:10We think they're as good as any team in this competition, as in Europe,
15:14and they're as dangerous as any team.
15:16They've proved that for a long period of time.
15:18So, it's very difficult to see who's better, who's on par,
15:22but we respect them and we treat them as one of the very best teams, for sure.
15:28Michael, good evening.
15:30Ian Dennis from Five Live.
15:31You were just talking then about the challenges that the players face.
15:34You've got two particularly testing away games this week.
15:37I would imagine they're the type of challenges that the players should relish,
15:41but what gives you faith that they'll be up for those challenges?
15:45Because I know them.
15:46I know how much they care.
15:47I know how strong the group is, and the other side of things,
15:53you've got no choice.
15:53You've got to be.
15:54That's why we're here.
15:56We're here to test ourselves, and that's the great thing about it.
16:00That's the opportunity that's in front of us.
16:04If you haven't got that little bit in you where maybe it's a little bit crazy at times
16:11to actually love the challenge and really want to dig deep to find the answers,
16:14then it's not the place for you, believe me.
16:17So, I've got the utmost trust in the players.
16:20I've seen it.
16:20I've seen it close quarters.
16:21I've seen it during games.
16:23I've seen it behind closed doors, in and around changing rooms when we've had successes,
16:26and the behaviours to that, and when maybe we haven't.
16:31I know what the players are feeling and how hungry they are to improve.
16:37And it's a big week.
16:38Yeah, of course it is.
16:39It's two tough games, two important games, but we're hugely looking forward to them.
16:44And we know we're in a spot at the moment a little bit.
16:48Definitely come off that, you know.
16:51And Lenny, just if I could ask you one.
16:54This is on the players, isn't it, for the slow start.
16:57So, are you and the rest of the group ready to repay that faith in your manager?
17:01Yeah, of course.
17:03Still the beginning of the season, you know.
17:05I think we did well in the second part last season with the coach.
17:09So, this is something that cannot be done like this.
17:14I trust the team.
17:16I trust us for the next game to move on and to do better.
17:21But, honestly, I'm not worried about this.
17:24Every team can have some difficulties in the first part of the season.
17:27But, this is something we're ready for.
17:30It's something we have to move on and work.
17:35Michael Sidlow from The Guardian.
17:36You're talking about the respect for Simeone and everything he's done over a very long period of time.
17:42Obviously, and the comparison was asked about him and Ferguson.
17:45Obviously, those are real outliers in professional football, particularly in modern professional football.
17:50And you were talking about trying to build something.
17:52Does it worry you, not just in your case, but in football in general,
17:56that managers are not normally given the time to do the kind of building that they would like to do?
18:02Yeah, they're not normal, but it pains me to say.
18:05But the one that won the league in our country last season has been there for a long period of
18:10time.
18:10It's seven years.
18:12And the first two seasons were, correct me if I'm wrong, maybe eight or seven or eight.
18:17I think he's done an incredible job, Mikel.
18:21That's another example.
18:24We're talking about Sir Alex and Diego Simeone, who have gone on for a lot longer than that
18:30and have built something incredibly special at both football clubs.
18:36It doesn't always take time.
18:37It depends on the situation of how things go.
18:41But more or less, to get to where you want to be and be sustainable and consistent,
18:46then it's going to take a bit of time to build that foundation.
18:49And that's the way it is.
18:54Chris?
18:57Hi, Michael.
18:59With Kobe out, would you consider Carlos for a start tomorrow,
19:03given that he only made his first appearance at the bench for the club three days ago?
19:06And just how encouraged were you by his debut against Tottenham?
19:10Yeah, less than really encouraged.
19:13I think we're not surprised.
19:15We know what Carlos can bring.
19:18Going back to it, we've got really good options in midfield.
19:22And with Kobe not with us, then that brings different options, variations,
19:30and we're flexible to be able to adapt in that way.
19:34Yeah, there's obviously a call on Carlos to see what that looks like.
19:37But really happy with him, how he came on the other day.
19:40And that gave him a really good step, really, of feeling Old Trafford,
19:44getting that first one underway and moving on from there.
19:47And obviously, not having your biggest summer signing available until,
19:51like me don't say, was not ideal.
19:53But what can he bring to the team now?
19:55And how big a boost can he be to you?
19:56Now he's kind of back in the Catholic of things.
19:59Yeah, he can definitely bring something, for sure.
20:02I think every player has to bring something to the group,
20:04whether that's playing every single game,
20:07which is probably highly unlikely for most players.
20:09But that's part of building the squad, of sharing the load a bit,
20:15and particularly in these type of weeks as well,
20:17and working through the season.
20:20Carlos gives us something a little bit different,
20:21maybe in the balance of the midfield,
20:24to give us that little bit something different.
20:28So we've got to pick and choose the right things for certain games.
20:33Hi, Michael.
20:34Sorry to ask about Bruno again,
20:36but as captain and as figurehead of the team,
20:40is someone like him undroppable if he's out of form,
20:43or is nobody undroppable in the team?
20:47Listen, this is not on Bruno, this line,
20:50so I don't use it for that,
20:51but nobody's guaranteed a place in the team.
20:55Nobody's guaranteed a place in the team,
20:57and don't take that as all of a sudden that's on Bruno.
21:00I don't mean that, just in general.
21:02There's a level of performance, there's a level of behaviour,
21:06there's a level of understanding that we need as a group,
21:08and as a squad, and as a team to perform.
21:12All the boys know that, they understand that,
21:13they've got their own standards, and they want to achieve things,
21:16and they want to be at the best,
21:17so I think that's pretty clear, and it has to be that way.
21:21And Lenny, can I just ask, third season at United now,
21:24are you feeling like a proper Manchester United player,
21:27and how much does it help to have so many experienced heads
21:31around you at the back in Harry Maguire,
21:33Lissandra Martinez, Luke Shaw?
21:36Yeah, I think it helps a lot for me to improve every day,
21:39especially in trainings.
21:41I talk a lot with them.
21:42They help me as well to improve.
21:45So yeah, this is my third year now.
21:49I feel like a Manchester United player since the first day,
21:51so for me, this is...
21:54I'm really happy with the beginning of the third season.
21:59I have to keep working, like I said.
22:02I know I can do better every time,
22:04so yeah, they help me a lot as well to improve.
22:06OK, last question just next to you there.
22:10Evening, Michael.
22:11Carlos Gonzalez from La Meda Inglesa.
22:13From Spain, it seems like there is always a lot of noise
22:17around Manchester United, a lot of ex-players, ex-managers
22:20talking about the club.
22:21How did you cope that situation in order to prepare an important match like this one?
22:28Yeah, I'm pretty good at shutting off, to be honest,
22:31and closing off and living a little bit in my bubble, if you like.
22:36And I think that's what we do as a group.
22:38I think we certainly look after each other.
22:40We all know what's out there,
22:42and it's about managing it and controlling it,
22:46and staying focused on what we can do.
22:47I think that's always the most important thing.
22:50It's always the way I've been since I first came to this football club,
22:54and we understand inside what it's like, what it feels like,
22:57and what we need to do.
22:59It's part of the challenge, for sure, of dealing with it,
23:02but I'm used to it, so I'm good with it,
23:06and I actually enjoy it, the position and embracing it,
23:09of the challenges that brings,
23:11is why we're here looking for this Champions League game tomorrow night.
23:15It's where we want to be,
23:16and tough tests, tough challenges,
23:18but we want to face it head on.
23:20And one for Lenny,
23:22last year we've seen here in this stadium,
23:25a football player like Ginski
23:26that doesn't have a lot of experience in the Champions League,
23:29made some errors,
23:32so it's your second match in the Champions League.
23:35Have you thought about a special routine to cope this match in this stadium
23:39that gives a lot of pressure to the opposition?
23:43Yeah, this is the Champions League games,
23:44but I'm going to approach the game like every games I do.
23:49There's a lot of pressure, of course,
23:51but this is not something that I really feel,
23:55so this is a game I will approach like every games, yeah.
23:58Okay, thanks everyone.
24:00Bye guys, thanks.
24:01Thanks a lot.