Man United humbled

Michael Carrick patted his chest and gave an apologetic salute to the Manchester United fans who were applauding him, before trudging down the tunnel at the end of another bruising afternoon at Old Trafford.

Then came a chorus of boos for the United players walking behind him.

United had just lost 3-0 — again — to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday and the disgruntled home support was letting it be known who they were behind in this latest sorry episode at a team that, not too long ago, was the pinnacle of English soccer.

Indeed, the only person to escape censure was the manager overseeing an eight-match winless run that is bringing more embarrassment to the country's biggest club.

“It hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time,” said an emotional-looking Carrick, who spoke of his “mixed emotions” during a match that further exposed the weakness in his fragile United team.

“It wasn't a farewell from me,” Carrick added of post-match actions that saw him lead his players on a walk around the field. “What it looks like, what is next — I really don't know. But I'll always do what's best for this football club.”

Carrick is trying everything to get United out its perilous position, which sees the club languishing in 16th place in the 20-team Premier League.

That includes even dropping captain Bruno Fernandes.

The humbling by Bournemouth came four days after a humiliating 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League that was followed by critical comments to the media by Fernandes about Carrick's tactics.

Brighton lost 2-0 at Liverpool for a first defeat since August, while Newcastle won 2-0 at Crystal Palace.