At 23:30 Beijing time (CEST) tonight, Manchester United will face Fulham in Premier League Matchweek 5. Ahead of the match, Michael Carrick gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sports. In part three of the interview (divided into three parts due to length), he discusses Marcus Rashford, Shea Lacey, and others.

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Michael Carrick: Team morale has not deteriorated. I anticipated the run of poor results.

Michael Carrick: A formal apology won't change the derby result. We could have done better that day.

Fans sometimes tend to fixate on the team's "identity" and what the playing style should be. Take Arsenal as an example—they were once considered defensive, but later began scoring from set pieces, and this season they've shifted to attacking play. Given how competitive the Premier League is, do you think it's essential to be flexible, that is, not to be wedded to a single style?

Honestly, I quite like when opponents can't work out our style. It means we're unpredictable. In attack, you need to be difficult to predict. You can't let the opposition easily read your next move or identify your main threats.

I prefer the team to develop various weapons and attack from different avenues. Since January, our attacking performances have been consistently good, and our goal-scoring is considerable. Unpredictability is a major strength.

The media pressure this week must be considerable. There's been much discussion around academy players like Shea Lacey. Many experienced coaches and former players like yourself might wonder whether young players today are expected to achieve too much too soon. Or is this simply standard in modern football?

It varies. Everyone is different. For example, Shea made his first start a few days ago and scored. He's a wonderful young player. He has the right mentality, a desire to improve and learn, and he patiently waited for his chance. When that opportunity came, he was fully prepared and took it.

This is what the academy is for—the moment all the academy's efforts aim toward. Football is constantly changing and evolving. Young players and experienced players alike must continually adapt. It's fundamentally part of this game.

Shea Lacey is from Liverpool, but after scoring, he kissed the Manchester United badge. Would you have imagined such a scene before?

He's been with this club for a long time, and it's wonderful to see a player so dedicated to the club. This is the value of the academy. Manchester United has consistently produced academy graduates. It's vital that the club nurtures this sense of belonging and promotes more academy players to the first team.

Meanwhile, England squad selection was announced, and Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were both selected. I'd like to ask about Marcus Rashford—you were captain on the pitch during his debut. How does the raw teenager you saw in training back then compare to the player he is now?

It's the same for all young players. People are fundamentally different at 16 or 17 than at 27 or 28, and they should be. People grow, mature, and learn. Experience shapes you. Of course, much of his natural talent remains, and he's continued to refine his playing style over the years.

He scored two goals in his first two appearances at Old Trafford, which surprised everyone and marked a brilliant debut. I've known Marcus Rashford for a long time, and this club means a great deal to him. I'm pleased he's still here. He will change greatly as he matures.

Finally, let's talk about Sunday's match against Fulham. Manchester United has an excellent record at Craven Cottage. The last time we lost there was December 2009, and I remember you played in that match. Now you have a chance to rewrite that history. What are your thoughts on this away game?

I'm really looking forward to this match. It will be a tough test, as expected. Fulham put in a great performance against Liverpool last week and beat West Ham United previously. Judging by their performances, they arguably deserve more points. I really enjoy playing at Craven Cottage. The atmosphere at that stadium is very special.

Though this time you won't need to play centre-back.

After that experience, I never want to play centre-back again. There are plenty of memories, but the match was still difficult. I'm going there to face the biggest challenges. I'm really looking forward to it.

AI翻訳。

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