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Simon Pierre
BBC Sport Chief Football News Journalist at Elland Road

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he has the best job possible and “loves it”.

Carrick’s side travel to Leeds after a difficult week, in which they extended their winless streak to five and then had to deal with the fallout from Lisandro Martinez’s explosive post-match comments following the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt has recounted a conversation he had with Carrick before Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January, when the former Middlesbrough boss said he no longer cared about managing.

“I certainly wouldn’t be here if that were the case, would I?” Carrick said.

“I feel a real privilege to be in this position and a real responsibility. At this point. It’s the best job I could have.

“I love it. I love the situation where there’s some kind of struggle where you have to find a way out.”

Carrick rejects the idea that a trip to Elland Road, which would be a cauldron given the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, is the last thing he needs at the moment.

He believes this presents an ideal opportunity to turn the season around.

“I’m really looking forward to playing,” he said.

“There’s always negativity if you want to look for it or feel it, but I don’t look for it. I don’t want to feel it.

“I understand reality but I don’t ask myself, ‘How am I going to get through this? How am I going to survive this? What do I need to do to take care of myself?’. It’s not important.

“It’s about this football club and winning football games.”