Manchester United had a difficult game at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon and could be fairly happy with the point they earned. With Casemiro unavailable, Mason Mount started the game, and Joshua Zirkzee played up front in place of Benjamin Sesko.
After the game, Michael Carrick refused to single Zirkzee out for criticism when asked about his performance.
To be honest, for all the boys, I thought it was just a tough game. An away game coming here which is challenging, there were certain times when Josh linked the play really well and certain times we left him a little bit isolated. That’s how it goes. I think he played a real part for the team and I understand it’s not easy for any player who hasn’t played for a little bit to come into a game. We’re not judging any individual on one performance today anyway.
With Champions League football for next season already wrapped up, Carrick was frustrated by the suggestion that the draw against Sunderland was a result of complacency.
I honestly get offended by that, when people are accusing you of that. The way the players have prepared for the game and the way they left the changing room, we faced a tough game. It’s fine. If we weren’t in a good head space and motivated, I think we lose the game today. Sunderland played really well at certain points of the game and made us work for it. I think the fact of our pride in ourselves and each other, the responsibility playing for this great club, to be part of it, certainly motivation and focus is not a reason why we we’re going to be brilliant or maybe have a performance where it becomes a little bit more challenging. Whether that’s today or the next two games, that won’t be the case whether it’s affected it.