Manchester United raring to go again after first loss under interim boss Michael Carrick

LONDON – Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick said on March 13 that his players were “itching to get going” again when they host fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa, after suffering their first defeat under his leadership.

Last week, 10-man Newcastle United ended Carrick's unbeaten run after William Osula came off the bench to score a spectacular 90th-minute solo winner in the Magpies’ 2-1 victory.

Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, has guided the Red Devils into the top four after a strong run and the third-placed side will look to keep up their push for a Champions League spot when they host fourth-placed Villa on March 15.

Unai Emery’s Villa are behind United only on goal difference, while the top five teams in the Premier League are almost certain to qualify for Europe’s top club competition.

“I understand the first defeat feels different, but it was going to come at some point. Most teams have suffered that at some point,” Carrick told reporters.

“It has been a really good week in some ways, we have put ourselves in a position where there is a lot to play for.

“It was disappointing the way the game ended (against Newcastle) but we have digested that, looked at it and learnt from it.

“We have trained really well this week and the boys are itching to get going.”

United's defeat by Newcastle prompted a dig from former player Paul Scholes, who wrote on Instagram: “Michael has definitely got something special about him... because United have been crap last four games.”

Asked about his former teammate's comment, Carrick said: “It was nothing really, nothing to say about it really. That is just where we are in terms of social media captions and quotes.

“It can be taken in different ways, so just be calm about it. There are different opinions out there and things can be taken from one extreme to another.

“I am not worried about it. I don't make a big deal about it.”

United finished an embarrassing 15th in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season under Portuguese Amorim, so Carrick has been doing a remarkable job to steady the ship so far.

However, the former United midfielder also warned against complacency.

“It’s a tough league,” he added.

“It’s putting things in perspective really and putting it in shape where we know where we can improve, what we can do better.”

On facing Villa, Carrick said he was “excited” by the challenge of hosting Emery’s men at Old Trafford. “We’re really embracing the situation at the moment and looking forward to the next game,” he added.

Meanwhile on the injury front, the United boss said he would be able to call upon Mason Mount for the match after the midfielder missed their last six league games due to injury.

“He is an important player for us,” Carrick said.

“He is not 100 per cent, and he has only trained for a small period of time. But he is back and that's good for us. We will see if he is involved on Sunday. That is it in terms of the players coming back.”

In the other camp, Emery said that facing United would be a “huge challenge”.

“But analysing how we are in the table overall, we are fourth with the same points as Manchester United with 51, and they are third,” said the Spaniard, whose team head into this match on the back of two league defeats and a draw.

“Sunday is (match day) 30 and there are still points to play for, a lot of points to play for. There are still matches to play, and we are so, so motivated in the two competitions we are fighting in.” REUTERS, AFP