Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United's remains far from secure as his team were held to a 1-1 draw by rivals Leeds United in a result that extended the Red Devils' winless run to six matches in all competitions.
With just six points earned from their opening six games of the campaign, Man United had already registered their poorest start to a Premier League season before making the trip to Elland Road on Sunday.
Their defeat in midweek against Atlético Madrid was overshadowed by defender Lisandro MartÃnez criticising the Man United hierarchy and specifically director of football Jason Wilcox -- who was in the stands at Elland Road -- for what the Argentina international considered to be a below-par summer transfer window after they finished third last season.
MartÃnez apologised for his comments on Thursday and was named in the Man United starting XI against Leeds by Carrick. However, he was replaced by Noussair Mazraoui at halftime.
The visitors took the lead when Bryan Mbeumo diverted Youri Tielemans' low cross beyond Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford 10 minutes before the break, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin pounced on a loose ball to equalise for the hosts in the 51st minute.
The England striker has found the back of the net in six of his last seven home Premier League games, scoring seven goals in that time. Only Erling Haaland (13) has scored more Premier League goals since the start of April than Calvert-Lewin (8).
Leeds fans held high hopes of securing their first home win over Man United in 24 years, but there was little in terms of quality on show from either side in a full-blooded derby clash, but Carrick will have no complaints about his players' application as they matched the hosts' intensity to earn a deserved point.
"There was definitely that commitment -- it had to be there today, I didn't doubt that, I could feel it," Carrick told a post-match news conference. "The last couple of days has been as good around the group as we have had for quite some time. There was definitely and edge to the game, an intensity.
"I spoke to the boys about the history of what the game is, the territory, what it takes to win here. It definitely tests you and it wasn't a perfect performance but there was a lot in there to show."
Less positive for United, however, is the fact that their one Premier League win registered this season is their fewest after seven games of a top-flight campaign since 1986-87.
Carrick said he understands "the situation doesn't look great."
"We are not accepting that everything's great but sometimes you do struggle you have to find a way through it. "We have to find a way through it. There has been a cycle where it can go in different directions. [We're] more than capable of winning matches. I understand the situation doesn't look great but I have no doubts we can go on a good run."
Information from ESPN's Mark Ogden, Global Sports Research and PA contributed to this story.
