Michael Carrick believes Manchester United can return to the heights of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, but has warned that success will require time, consistency and a realistic perspective.
Carrick remains under scrutiny despite United’s 3-2 comeback victory over Roma in midweek, which ended a nine-game winless run. Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa will provide another important test.
The pressure comes as United mark 40 years since Ferguson was appointed manager on 6 November 1986. He inherited a club that had not won the league title since 1967 and waited almost seven years before delivering its first championship.
Ferguson subsequently led United to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League victories, establishing a level of sustained success that has proved impossible to match since his departure.
Carrick, who spent seven years playing under Ferguson, said there was no reason United could not eventually challenge for major honours again, although he rejected the idea of an instant transformation.
“It’s not impossible. Anything’s possible,” Carrick said when asked whether it was realistic for the club to be judged against Ferguson’s achievements.
“You’ve got to build. You’ve got to be realistic, and you’ve got to put things into perspective as well. Look at the recent history we’ve had, where we’re trying to get to and what we want to achieve. It’s not going to happen in the blink of an eye. It’s not going to happen overnight.”
He added: “Success does take time, and we don’t like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build. We showed a really quick response and improved a lot last season, and that shows what’s possible.
“But sustaining it is the key. Consistency is the key. There’s no other way of doing it, and there are no shortcuts.”
Carrick acknowledged that expectations around Manchester United have changed, but said the club must concentrate on producing results in the present while learning from its past.
“It’s difficult to bring success. It was difficult then, and it’s difficult now,” he said. “It just shows you how tough it is to have sustained success, never mind moments of success.”
He said his relationship with Ferguson had developed since his playing career ended, with the former manager’s influence continuing to shape the club.
“I’m probably closer to him now and speak to him more than I did when I was playing,” Carrick said. “Ever since I came here, the impact he had on me as an individual was immense.”
“Then you move on and evolve a little bit into a friendship, really, which is really nice. It’s just the impact he’s had, and continues to have, on this football club.”
