Michael Carrick says Manchester United must "live in the present" amid comparisons between his struggles in the Old Trafford hot seat and those endured by Alex Ferguson in the early stages of his tenure.

Carrick got some much-needed respite on Tuesday as United fought back from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League, halting a nine-game winless run (D3 L6).

But Ipswich Town are the only side the Red Devils have beaten in nine Premier League matches this campaign (D4 L4). 

They have not started a league season with as few as one win in their first 10 games since 1972-73, while only three teams in English top-flight history have made such a start to a campaign after finishing in the top three in the previous season – Derby County in 1894-95, Chelsea in 1920-21, and Arsenal in 1953-54.

United sit 17th in the table ahead of Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa, and depending on results elsewhere, they could be in the relegation zone by the time that game begins.

United have 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 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 told reporters on Friday.

"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."

A legend among legends. Today marks the 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson began his glorious association with Manchester United  https://t.co/E6anjZtHQu

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United are winless in their last seven Premier League games (D4 L3), only enduring a longer run without a victory in the competition in April and May 2025 (eight matches), which was ended by a 2-0 home win over Villa.

But 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."