Carrick asks for time as United end nine-game winless run

Michael Carrick asked for patience at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Manchester United broke a run of nine games without a win by beating Roma 3-2 on Tuesday, but they remain 17th in the Premier League with 7 points, level with Crystal Palace, who sit in the first relegation place. They have now gone seven league matchdays without a victory. According to Mundo Deportivo, the manager, whose future is still uncertain, insisted that success will not come overnight.

The match coincides with the 40th anniversary of Alex Ferguson's appointment as United manager, a man who won 38 trophies from the Old Trafford dugout. Carrick acknowledged that the team is far from its best years, but pointed to last season, when they responded well and improved a lot, as proof that it is possible. He admitted that everyone is desperate to win games as quickly as possible.

He also spoke about his relationship with Ferguson, under whom he played, saying it is now closer than during his playing days and that the Scot has had an enormous impact on him as a person.