Carrick: We're really embracing the situation

Our first bump in the road under Carras came last time out, in our narrow 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park. The head coach discussed reacting to that setback, and why the Reds are still in such good spirits, with the chance to record a decisive win in the race for Europe.

The boss was also asked about the fitness status of the squad, the form of Harry Maguire and much more in the first part of his media briefing ahead of Aston Villa's visit.

Keep scrolling to read, and watch, everything he had to say...

Hi Michael, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you. How’s this period been and are there any players back or unavailable for this match?
“Yeah, it’s been a good week. The result was disappointing, how the game ended, there was obviously disappointment. I think we’ve digested that and looked at it and learnt from it. Trained well, trained really well this week. The boys are itching to get going on Sunday now.”

In terms of the team news, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez. Are you able to offer any guidance on when they might be back or are they back?
“Mason’s back with the group, which is fantastic. He’s an important player for us, Mason, and to have him back and involved is a good step for us, definitely. He’s not, you know, 100 per cent in terms of [being] back because he’s only trained a very small amount of time, but he’s back and that’s good for us. So, we’ll see if he’s involved or not on Sunday, but yeah, it’s a big step for him, but we’re happy with that. Yeah, that’s it in terms of players coming back for now.”

Paul Scholes made some comments after the Newcastle defeat and he’s also said since then that it was taken out of context a little bit and that he’s spoken to you since. Just wondered what that interaction was like? But also, your experience at this club and your relationship with past team-mates, how much can that help diffuse situations like that?
“There’s nothing to say about it, really. I think that’s just where we’re at with social media, and things in captions and quotes, it can be taken in different ways. So [it’s just about] understanding the real meaning. Listen, there’s different opinions out there, and it’s fine, people can have different opinions, it’s just that things get taken from one extreme to the other, and it is what it is, but I’m not worried about it, so I don’t make a big deal of it.”

You managed Morgan Rogers at Middlesbrough. You could well face him on Sunday. Have you been surprised at all at the sheer speed with which he’s become such a key Premier League and international player?

“Listen, first of all, it’s fantastic for me to see Morgan going on to do so well and he’s done it for a good period of time now. When he had the initial signing in the January, [I] wasn’t really sure how it was going to go. It was a step for him, and he hadn’t really played for an awful long time at Middlesbrough, really, so naturally, you felt that he could have done a little bit more [time at Middlesbrough], but as soon as he’s gone to Aston Villa he’s taken huge steps, and quickly been a major, major part of their team and part of the England team as well, so it just shows how well he’s done. We could always see what he was possibly going to be capable and the potential in terms of what he could do, his attributes: the way he carries the ball, play off his left foot, play off his right foot, creates and scores goals, and really good athletically. So, there was a lot of things there, positives, which is obviously why we took him to start with. To see him go on and have such an impact, would probably be more than I expected, probably more than Morgan himself would have probably expected. It’s great to see, though. I enjoy seeing him do so well. Obviously when we come up against him it’s a different story, but nevertheless, he’s a good person, he’s great to work with, so I’m delighted he’s done so well.”

Just about Jadon Sancho. You were here when he signed. He scored two goals in three games under you. It seemed at that point that he was going to have a really good career at United. Are you surprised at the way things have worked out?

“You can never be surprised with anything in football. I think it’s one of those things. Sometimes you come to a club, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t quite work. That’s natural, it happens at every club. Jadon’s got talent, you know, that’s why he came to the club to start with, and he’s had some really good moments. For whatever reason, I don’t know, I’ve not been here for a period of time, he’s finding himself at Aston Villa. He had, obviously, a good spell at Dortmund as well, and [was] in a Champions League final. So, he’s certainly got talent, and he’s playing a lot this season, so credit to him for that and he’s having an impact and playing a lot of game. What happens next and moving forward, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

You began with two massive games. I’m sure you’ll say every game’s a big game, but given that you’re coming off your first defeat and given the situation at the top there with you and Villa and the qualification for the Champions League. Is this the biggest test since your first couple of days?

“I think we’re always in a test, you know. It’s always about what’s next, what you’re going to react [like], whether you’ve won, whether you haven’t won, whether you’ve drawn, what’s going to be the reaction? What’s the group [like]? What’s the emotions in it? How do we make the best of it? What’s the motivation for the next game? And driving that forward. I understand with it being the defeat, it feels a little bit different, but it’s going to come at some point. I think you look through the league, it’s a tough league. Most teams, if not every team, has suffered that in recent times. It’s putting things in perspective, really, and putting it in a shape where we can improve, what we can do better. We’ve taken a lot of confidence from [games recently] and [must focus on] how we show what we can achieve and how we play. So, it’s been a really good week in many ways and I’m excited. It’s an important game, there’s no getting away from it. It’s a fantastic game. We’ve put ourselves in a position now where there’s an awful lot to play for, so yeah, really embracing the situation at the moment and looking forward to the next game.”

JJ Gabriel trained with the first team again this week and he’s obviously been incredible over the last few months. Would you consider putting him in a matchday squad this season?

“He’s not allowed. He’s too young.”

How difficult has is it been for the club to manage the attention that he has got over the last few months?

“He’s doing really well, JJ. We’ve got some really good players in the Academy and we try and get the younger players up as much as we can. The Under-21s are kicking off in five minutes as well, so looking forward to finishing this and going to watch them. I’d much rather be here, I must say [laughs]. So yeah, we’re always trying to give that exposure to the players to come and train and feel it. JJ’s a big talent, it’s pretty obvious to know that and he’s had a really good season for the Under-18s. We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important and managing everything that comes with that, and working with him, development, as we do with all the different age groups and younger players, and picking the right moment to step up, picking the right moment to leave them in a certain place and ups and downs. But he’s done well, he’s trained, he’s done well, as you’d expect. It’s good to have the younger players come up with us.”

Harry Maguire has been back in the team a couple of months now and obviously been a big part of the early successes you’ve had. He’s 33 now, there’s an England squad next week. I wouldn’t expect you to try and pick Thomas Tuchel’s squad for him, but is he showing the form you would have expected from him at his peak?

“Harry’s been playing well, I think it’s pretty obvious to say that. Considering you look back not too long ago he was out for a considerable period of time as well injured, and he came straight back in when we arrived. So, there’s been a little bit of managing as well through the weeks and the games and getting him right up to speed, if you like, physically. I think he’s just shown his experience in situations and the composure. [He] knows what it feels like, understands what it takes, and he’s done ever so well. Whatever’s going to happen with England is going to happen with England, but he’s definitely put himself back in the frame. If he was ever out of it, he’s definitely in the frame, and hopefully, from my point of view, he gets picked and he goes.”