Michael Carrick believes Ferguson-level success at Man Utd is achievable, but he has warned that restoring the club to the top will not happen quickly. Speaking as Manchester United marked 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment on 6 November 1986, the United boss said matching those standards is “not impossible” while stressing the need for patience and consistency.
A milestone amid scrutiny
The anniversary arrives at a testing time for Carrick, whose position remains under close examination. United’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Roma in midweek eased some pressure after a nine-game winless run, but Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa presents another significant challenge.
Ferguson’s early years offer a reminder of how long a rebuild can take. He took over a club that had not won the league since 1967 and needed almost seven years to deliver his first championship. That was followed by 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.
No shortcuts to sustained success
Carrick argued that the route back to the top must be built on week-to-week performance rather than quick fixes. He described sustained success as difficult in any era, noting that it was hard when Ferguson started and remains hard now.
He said the focus must stay on the present and on doing what is required in each game. According to Carrick, if that is repeated often enough, larger achievements will follow. He rejected the idea of shortcuts, insisting that consistency is the only way forward.
Asked whether United can realistically be measured against Ferguson’s standards, Carrick replied that anything is possible but added that the club must remain realistic and keep the current situation in perspective. He pointed to recent history and the distance still to travel, saying progress will not come overnight.
Carrick also noted that the game has evolved since Ferguson arrived, just as it had changed after Sir Matt Busby’s era. While he understands the comparisons, he said the club must live in the present and use past experiences as a guide.
Ferguson's personal influence
Carrick, who spent seven years playing under Ferguson, reflected on the influence his former manager had on him. He said their relationship has grown closer since his playing days ended and that they now speak more often.
He described Ferguson’s impact as immense, not necessarily through constant advice but through the habits and standards he passed on. Carrick said the relationship has evolved naturally into a friendship and highlighted the continuing influence Ferguson has on the football club.
For Carrick, the anniversary is both a tribute to past achievements and a measure of the task ahead. He accepts the comparisons but returns to the same theme: time, patience and the daily work required to build something lasting.
