Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are ready to compete with Manchester City in Sunday’s derby, despite mounting expectations and an inconsistent start to the Premier League campaign.
Carrick took over from then as a successful interim manager to lead United to third place last season before being given the job for good. The former United captain now feels he has been held to a higher standard following eight and half months in charge, with Sunday’s match a key test as he works on his rebuilding efforts.
United have picked up only four points from their first three league games with a win over Ipswich Town followed by four defeats and a draw at Everton. They have also been hampered in their preparations because of the short break they have had since their last European match on Thursday.
The successful 4-0 victory over Sabah was a boost but Carrick admits the Manchester derby will be a much stiffer challenge.
The United boss said his side can’t just expect to repeat their form against City last season. Rather, he thinks the confidence he built up throughout his time can help the team deal with the pressure that comes with the match.
“We know it’s a big game, we know it’s an important game. There’s a lot riding on it,” Carrick said.
The United side enjoyed a sterling season with Carrick, beating 12 of their 17 Premier League games, with just two defeats. Their win over City was one outcome that gave the Blues hope for a turnaround. One issue early on, though, has been the defensive issues and lack of consistency, dampening the spirits.
Carrick is not letting one poor start to his career affect his plans as he is still concentrating on the bigger picture of the club’s future. The news has come at a time when the team’s future direction was the only thing that was uncertain, he said, adding that from the outset the decisions had been made taking United’s direction into account.
So Sunday’s derby has meaning on more than just points. It presents a chance for United to see if the improvement achieved by Carrick can hold up against one of England football’s biggest games.
