Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has expressed confidence that the English Premier League club can reclaim its former glory, insisting that rebuilding its reputation will require patience, consistency and a sustained commitment to improvement, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 8, 2026.
Carrick made the remarks during a pre-match press conference on Friday, November 6, as he faced growing pressure over his position following a difficult run of results that has left United languishing 17th in the Premier League table.
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The former England international midfielder, who was part of Manchester United’s successful era under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, dismissed suggestions that the club could no longer return to the heights it once enjoyed.
“It’s not impossible. Anything is possible,” Carrick said.
“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.”
His comments come at a critical moment for the 20-time English league champions, whose struggles since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 have been marked by managerial changes, inconsistent performances and difficulty sustaining challenges for major honours.
Carrick acknowledged that United had shown signs of improvement but stressed that maintaining progress over an extended period would be more important than occasional impressive performances.
“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,” he added.
“There’s no other way of doing it. There are no shortcuts to it and in the end that’s where you get to, but it’s definitely possible.”
The manager’s optimism follows United’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday, November 3, which ended a nine-game winless run across all competitions.
United had appeared destined for another disappointing result after conceding twice within the opening 17 minutes, with Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen putting the Italian side in control.
However, a second-half revival changed the contest. Captain Bruno Fernandes reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the 58th minute before Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha struck twice in the 83rd and 86th minutes to complete an impressive turnaround.
The victory provided some relief for Carrick, whose position had come under increasing scrutiny following the club’s disappointing results.
However, the comeback was not without its setbacks. Cunha was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card, while midfielder Carlos Baleba suffered a hamstring injury shortly after the interval.
The 22-year-old Cameroonian, who joined United from Brighton in a reported £70m deal, is expected to miss several weeks.
Carrick confirmed that Baleba would not recover in time for Sunday’s fixture or the November international break.
“With Carlos, we don’t know exactly, but it’ll be a number of weeks,” he said, adding that the midfielder would require a longer period on the sidelines.
The injury represents another concern for United as they prepare for a demanding period in their domestic and European campaigns.
Sunday’s encounter against Aston Villa could prove particularly significant for Carrick’s future.
According to Sky Sports, the club’s hierarchy is expected to reassess the managerial situation during the international break if results fail to improve.
Despite the pressure, Carrick continues to enjoy some backing within the club’s leadership, although the victory over Roma has not completely eased concerns about United’s overall direction.
Sky Sports reported that the club’s football executives, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, remain open to considering alternatives should a managerial change become necessary.
United’s upcoming opponents also present a formidable challenge. Aston Villa, under Spanish manager Unai Emery, have established themselves as competitive contenders in English and European football, making Sunday’s meeting an important test of Carrick’s side.
For United, the immediate priority will be to turn the confidence gained from the Roma comeback into consistent performances in the Premier League.
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Carrick’s message is ultimately one of patience and belief, but with the club struggling near the bottom of the table, the former midfielder will need more than encouraging words to convince supporters and the board that he can lead a sustained revival at Old Trafford.
