Michael Carrick acknowledged Manchester United supporters with an apologetic salute before heading down the tunnel at Old Trafford on Sunday after another disappointing afternoon. United players following him were greeted with boos from frustrated fans.
United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, extending their winless run to eight matches and increasing pressure on the struggling club. While supporters expressed their anger at the players, Carrick received some applause.
“It hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time,” an emotional Carrick said, describing his feelings as mixed after another performance exposed his team's weaknesses.
Carrick said his post-match walk around the pitch with the players was not a farewell gesture. “What it looks like, what is next . I really don't know. But I'll always do what's best for this football club,” he said.
Fernandes dropped
United, who sit 16th in the 20-team Premier League, have struggled to find consistency despite Carrick's efforts to turn their season around.
The manager dropped captain Bruno Fernandes for Sunday's match, four days after United suffered a 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League. Fernandes had subsequently criticised Carrick's tactics in comments to the media.
Carrick said the decision to leave the Portugal international, who was named England's player of the year last season, out of the starting lineup was based purely on football considerations.
Fernandes warmed up during the match but did not play as Bournemouth scored through Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson.
“He's fit and available but we decided to pick the team that we did today. Unfortunately for everyone we didn't manage to get the right result,” Carrick told BBC Sport.
He added that United wanted to attack more and create additional chances but acknowledged that the team had not done enough.
Carrick's future is increasingly uncertain, less than five months after he signed a permanent contract following a successful interim spell that helped United return to the Champions League in the second half of last season.
However, replacing the manager may not resolve the club's deeper problems. Supporters also chanted against director of football Jason Wilcox and the Glazer family, United's majority owners, before directing their frustration at the players.
United have won only one of their eight league matches this season, beating promoted Ipswich at home on Aug. 30.
“It's nowhere near good enough,” defender Harry Maguire said. “Something needs to change.”
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have won 3-0 at Old Trafford in three of the last four seasons. Their other visit during that period ended in a 4-4 draw.
Liverpool end Brighton's unbeaten run
Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield to end the south-coast side's unbeaten league run since August.
Brighton had enjoyed an impressive spell, including two 5-0 victories and a 3-0 win over defending champions Arsenal.
Liverpool scored twice within four minutes midway through the first half. Pascal Gross deflected Florian Wirtz's attempt into his own net before Alexander Isak converted Bradley Barcola's cross.
The victory was Liverpool's first home league win under manager Andoni Iraola, who took charge during the summer. The result moved Liverpool into fourth place, one position and one point behind Brighton.
Brighton dominated possession with 64% and recorded 17 shots, although only one was on target.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler described the defeat as a missed opportunity but praised his players for their attacking approach.
“I think everyone in the stadium saw that there was one team who really tried to create and try to win this game,” Hurzeler said.
Newcastle secure victory
Newcastle United defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 through second-half goals from William Osula and Harvey Barnes.
Elsewhere, Hull City and Brentford drew 1-1, while Sunderland and Leeds United played out a goalless draw.