Michael Carrick laughs off Sir Alex Ferguson comparison but makes Manchester United plea

Carrick says repeating Ferguson's success is possible but will take time to build, after a Champions League win eased pressure on United.

Michael Carrick marked the 40th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson's arrival at Manchester United by insisting the club can return to the unprecedented success of the Fergie era, despite 13 years of struggle since his departure in 2013.

Ferguson won 38 trophies in 26 years, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. United now sit outside the relegation zone only on goal difference—the same precarious position Ferguson inherited in 1986. Carrick acknowledged the challenge but rejected the notion it is impossible. "Success does take time, and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build. There are no shortcuts to it," he said.

Carrick eased immediate pressure with a dramatic Champions League victory over Roma in midweek, ending a nine-game winless run. He laughed off comparisons between that comeback and Ferguson's famous 1990 FA Cup reprieve at Nottingham Forest, stressing the need to build on the result rather than treat it as a turning point. "Nothing's done yet. Nothing's achieved yet, and it's one moment in time that we need to use to move forward," he said.