Carrick urges United to ditch Ferguson comparisons
Michael Carrick says Manchester United must forget about the past amid comparisons between his struggles in the Old Trafford manager's seat and those endured by Alex Ferguson in the early stages of his tenure.
Carrick got some much-needed respite in midweek as United fought back from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League, halting a nine-game winless run that featured six defeats.
But Ipswich Town is the only side the Red Devils has beaten in nine Premier League matches this campaign.
United is 17th on the table ahead of its next Premier League match, against Aston Villa, and depending on results elsewhere, it could be in the relegation zone by the time that game begins.
United has not been in the drop zone at least nine matches into a season since November 1986, at the start of Ferguson's illustrious 27-year reign, which ultimately contained 38 trophy wins including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League triumphs.
But when Carrick was asked if the United hierarchy needed to show him the same faith as his former mentor received, he pushed back on the suggestion.
"The game has certainly changed, no doubt. It has evolved. It changes, and we have got to deal with what is in front of us," he said.
"The comparison, I get, and I understand. We have got to live in the present. We're all desperate to win football matches and win them as quickly as we can.
"You always find something to compare us to! It is up to us to take it forward. It [the win over Roma] was a fantastic night, but it was a one-off night.
"Nothing is done yet. Nothing has been achieved yet. It is one moment in time that we need to use to move forward. We need more of it, for sure."
Carrick insists he has seen positive signs from his side, even if individual errors came into play during the first half of the Roma game.
"When you watch the [Roma] game back in the first half, it wasn't so bad," Carrick said. "There were moments where we left ourselves short – they're the moments we have got to clean up.
"There are little moments here and there that have changed games for us, which is football and something we have to manage – the first half against Chelsea was very good.
"I think we are showing signs of improvement in that respect. We have got to take that moving forward."
