Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has defended his side despite a difficult start to the Premier League season, after a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday left the club under increasing pressure.
United appeared set for a third consecutive defeat after falling behind to an own goal from Lisandro Martinez. However, Matheus Cunha rescued a point with a deflected equaliser in the 89th minute.
The result offered little comfort to United, who were held by a Fulham side that had yet to win and sat second from bottom of the Premier League.
United have collected just five points from their opening five matches, matching their lowest points tally at this stage of a Premier League campaign. The previous occasion came under Louis van Gaal in the 2014/15 season, when United eventually finished fourth.
Carrick's side currently sit 12th in the table and have already fallen 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.
United's performance at Craven Cottage also raised further questions about their attacking threat and defensive organisation.
Former United defender Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, strongly criticised the team's display after the interval.
“I've watched Man United since the age of five and that's the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen. Absolutely pathetic,” Neville said.
Carrick acknowledged that United need to improve but insisted he remained encouraged by aspects of the team's performance.
“It's not been ideal. It was always going to come at some point and it's come at the start of the season,” Carrick said.
He pointed to several narrow moments that have gone against his team, including an own goal against Fulham and previous results against Everton and Manchester City.
“It's pretty fine margins that have flipped it. I know we can do better, we need to do better at certain things,” he said.
“But I'm not despondent because I think we've shown some good signs as well.”
United's poor start follows a 2-0 defeat to promoted Hull City on the opening weekend, a loss to Manchester City and a League Cup collapse against Brighton after surrendering a two-goal lead.
The extended international break gives Carrick several weeks to assess the team's problems before United return to action.
They face Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 10, followed by challenging fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Leeds.
Carrick says the difficult opening to the campaign can provide an opportunity for the squad to learn and develop.
“You learn about each other, they learn about me, I learn about the individual and as a team, how we respond, what our reaction is,” he said.
“That's part of growing as a group. You have to go through certain things to get to the end of it.”