Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick has urged patience as the club seeks to recapture its former glory, insisting that success will not happen overnight. Carrick, who was part of United's golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson, spoke ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Aston Villa, a match that could be his last in charge.
A Glimmer of Hope
United ended a nine-game winless run with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, their Premier League form remains concerning, with no wins since August and the club sitting just outside the relegation zone on goal difference. The board has given Carrick a temporary reprieve, but the upcoming international break could see a change unless he can demonstrate progress.
The Challenge of Rebuilding
Since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, United have struggled to replicate their past successes. Carrick acknowledged the difficulty but remained optimistic. "It's not impossible. Anything is possible," he told reporters. "The recent history that we've had and where we want to get to, it's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. It's not going to happen overnight. Success does take time and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build."
He pointed to last season's improvement as evidence of what can be achieved with time and consistency. "We showed a really quick response and improved a lot last season and you know it shows what is possible, but again sustaining it is the key, consistency is the key. There's no other way of doing it. There's no shortcuts to it and in the end that's where you get to, but it's definitely possible."
Injury Blow
The midweek victory came at a cost, with summer signing Carlos Baleba suffering a hamstring injury that will keep him out for several weeks. The £70 million ($93 million) midfielder had been starting to find his feet at Old Trafford, and his absence will be a significant setback for Carrick's side.
Looking Ahead
As United prepare to face Villa, Carrick knows that a positive result is crucial to his chances of remaining in charge. The international break will give the board time to assess their options, but for now, Carrick is focused on the task at hand. With patience and persistence, he believes the Red Devils can rise again.
