Michael Carrick has insisted that Manchester United must “prepare” during their waiting period for the Aston Villa match amid their push for Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils will not return to Premier League action until after 11 days, with Manchester United hosting Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 15th March.
Michael Carrick also experienced his first real setback as United interim head coach after Wednesday evening’s result at St James’ Park against the Magpies.
Newcastle were reduced to 10 men against United and the Magpies still overcame their numerical disadvantage to hand Carrick his first defeat as interim boss.
After a first defeat, how are you feeling about Michael Carrick for the Man Utd job permanently?
Michael Carrick has already embraced the waiting period that Man Utd have for the Premier League match against Aston Villa
The Red Devils are out of all cup competitions and Manchester United entered the 2025-26 season without European football after last season’s dismal form.
United legend Michael Carrick has only nine Premier League matches remaining in his interim Red Devils spell before the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, the Premier League club have waiting periods between their matches after essentially being reduced to one fixture per week in their 40-match season.
Speaking after Man Utd’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, Carrick insisted that the Red Devils were unfazed by their 11-day wait for the Aston Villa match.
“It doesn’t really make any difference,” he told BBC Match of the Day on Wednesday, as per BBC Sport.
“Losing a game, especially in that matter, is something we have to take and accept and understand why that happens.
“Whenever the next game is, we will deal with it. We know it is a little bit longer, but it gives us time to prepare.”
What is your MESSAGE to Michael Carrick after his first defeat as Man Utd boss?
Michael Carrick is well aware of the Champions League battle on Man Utd’s hands after the Newcastle setback
United remain third in the Premier League table and fourth-place Aston Villa are level on points ahead of their showdown at Old Trafford next Sunday.
Carrick insisted that the Red Devils’ next step for ensuring that they keep themselves in the race for Champions League football is overcoming their tough test against Villa.
“[It was] always going to be, tonight doesn’t change that,” he said.
“We put ourselves in the position by winning games; tonight hurts, it is disappointing, but we move on and have to be better next time out.”
Villa dropped all three Premier League points on Wednesday evening after fifth-place Chelsea completed their stunning 4-1 comeback win at Villa Park.
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