Cunha highlighted the constant media chatter surrounding United during his BBC Match Day interview.
Neville fuels much of that buzz, whether directly or via his expanding media empire.
Carrick has previously claimed he can tune it out.
Can United fans, usually loyal through hardship, really boo Carrick for pulling Kobbie Mainoo with eleven minutes left after Wednesday’s Brighton flop?
‘Changes always spark reactions,’ Carrick said. ‘I spoke with Kobbie after the match; he’s perfectly fine.’
He added that emotions run high when we chase a game, and supporters, rightly so, crave the right decisions.
Carrick shrugged off any negativity, insisting the focus must stay on doing what’s needed to climb back into contention.
‘The fans were phenomenal today, staying behind the lads all the way,’ he praised. ‘We gave them a small win to cherish, and more is on the horizon.’
That, he argued, is the crux.
A draw at Fulham counts as a modest gain, especially since the hosts began the season at the bottom and have now swapped places with Tottenham.
Five points from five matches leaves United 12th, a full ten points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Summer signing Carlos Baleba, who cost £70 million, still awaits his debut, while long‑injured Matthijs de Ligt didn’t feature despite traveling south on Saturday.
Striker Benjamin Sesko also sat out, nursing a recurring shin issue that first flared against Brighton and sidelined him for over three months.
Carrick admitted the full extent of the damage remains unclear at this stage.
All that would be tolerable if not for ticket‑sale woes sparked by the club’s crackdown on scalpers, which has irked many supporters.
United will publish its full‑year accounts to 30 June on Wednesday, revealing the true scale of current debt.
Debate also swirls around the proposed new stadium, a £2 billion project tied to an Old Trafford masterplan expected to seek approval by late 2027 or early 2028.
No wonder, after unexpectedly steering United back to the Champions League last season, Carrick now leads a club whose supporters feel deflated; for my money, his upbeat spin seems overly optimistic.
‘A long season lies ahead,’ he warned. ‘There will be spells, that’s part of the journey.’
‘It isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon effort.’
He conceded they’re not downplaying the situation. ‘We wanted more points, and we understand the frustration.’
Will United finally turn the tide and reclaim a top‑four spot next season?