Carrick refused to blink when the question of his future was put to him.

“I don’t need any reassurance. It’s pretty clear. I know the role, I know the responsibilities. I know that myself,” Carrick told reporters ahead of the trip to Italy.

He then shifted the lens straight back onto results.

“I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place,” he said.

Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo storms ahead of Lionel Messi in race for greatest Ballon d’Or season ever

Two wins in 10 and no league victory for six weeks

Manchester United arrive at Como with two wins across all competitions and seven points from seven Premier League matches, their worst English top-flight start since 1986. The only league win so far came against promoted Ipswich; the only other victory of any kind, a 4-0 Champions League result over FK Sabah on 10 September.

Carrick is also missing seven first-team players for Italy: Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven.

Ten Hag calls it a ‘toxic culture’

The pressure hardened the night before Carrick’s press conference. Erik ten Hag, the man he effectively replaced, gave a long interview to The Athletic accusing the Manchester United hierarchy of fuelling a “toxic culture” and failing to back him over the squad he inherited.

Ten Hag was also asked whether firing Carrick now would help the club.

Read also: UK accounting watchdog quietly takes over Manchester City audit case

“It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100 per cent not,” Ten Hag told The Athletic.

“He showed good coaching abilities at Middlesbrough and last season. So let him do his process.”

Carrick, pressed on the “toxic” characterisation, pushed back.

“I haven’t [experienced the toxicity]. The players and staff has given everything they can,” he said.

Read also: Manchester City handed lifeline as Premier League’s punishment plans face serious obstacle

“That’s Erik’s opinion on the board. Wrong for me to comment and get involved.”

Fàbregas waits in Como

Kickoff in Como against Cesc Fàbregas’ side is at 6:45pm local time on Wednesday. Both teams enter matchday three on three points from their opening two Champions League league-phase fixtures.

Read also: Yamal vs Kane: Major divide splits Ballon d’Or race ahead of London ceremony