Michael Carrick subtly digs at 'unideal' schedule ahead of Manchester derby

Michael Carrick suggested the fixture schedule has disadvantaged Manchester United after giving them 48 hours less preparation time than Manchester City ahead of the season's first derby.

The United manager described the schedule as "wasn't ideal" following Enzo Maresca's team's victory over FC Porto in Portugal on Tuesday, while his squad doesn't begin their UEFA Champions League journey until Thursday, when Sabah FK arrives at Old Trafford.

Advertisement

This provides the Blues additional time to ready themselves for Sunday's Premier League match, and while Carrick alluded to his dissatisfaction regarding the timetable and how the fixtures aligned, he attempted to minimize it as a significant issue, via the Manchester Evening News.

Donovan and Howard weigh in on Balogun's failed Everton transfer after USMNT star calls off deal

NWSL fans ejected while wearing XX-XY shirts as transgender debate spills over

The disparity is somewhat balanced by City needing to travel back from Portugal following their 2-0 win, though they'll still receive more preparation time than United for the match on Sunday, which commences at 4:30pm BST (11:30am ET).

"I'm not concerned," said Carrick. "I wouldn't say it's ideal in some ways, but it's not something that we've given too much thought about.

Advertisement

"We're not in control of that. We've got to deal with the cards that we're dealt and that's what it is, so we'll make the most of it."

Prior to shifting their focus to the derby, United seek to launch their Champions League comeback with a victory against the Azerbaijani champions, though Carrick recognizes it won't be a straightforward match.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

"I think they're a very well-coached team," he said. "You can see that quite clearly, their ideas, the principles that they have that are repeatable, and they have some really good things.

Advertisement

"I think they've obviously won a lot of football matches over the last 12 months or so, and so they're playing with a lot of confidence and you can see the way they play and take the ball and play through the pitch.

"They have some really good connections and press well as a team. So, we obviously are fully aware of what we're up against and the challenge that we face."

Click here to read article