Carrick urges Manchester United to maintain league-leading pace

Michael Carrick says Manchester United must find consistency if they are to turn their impressive recent record into a genuine Premier League title challenge.

United have collected 42 points from 19 league matches since the Englishman was appointed in January. That is the best points return in the Premier League over the same period, giving the club a platform from which they could compete for the championship this season if they maintain that rate of progress.

Carrick discussed his record as Manchester United manager while assessing the team’s prospects. His central message was that a strong run of results will only matter if it can be sustained over a much longer period.

“Consistency is needed,” Carrick said, according to the central theme of his comments.

The 42-point haul has placed Manchester United’s recent form above that of every other side in the division across those 19 matches. However, the team’s current campaign is still in its early stages, and United have taken three points from their opening two Premier League fixtures.

That total leaves little room for any immediate conclusions about the final shape of the title race. United could still challenge for the championship if they reproduce the level of performance reflected in their results since Carrick’s appointment, but the manager has stressed that the priority is to deliver that standard regularly.

Manchester United will have the opportunity to add to their points tally on Sunday, when they travel to face Everton. The match will provide another test of whether the side can build momentum after an uneven start to the new Premier League campaign.

Carrick’s record since taking charge remains the most positive statistical indicator available to the club. Forty-two points in 19 matches represents a title-winning pace over that particular period, but the figure has been achieved across a defined run rather than a complete season.

The challenge now is to carry that form into the rest of the campaign. United have three points from their first two matches, while the possibility of a championship challenge depends on them avoiding a repeat of any inconsistency and keeping their points return at a similarly high level.

Sunday’s visit to Everton is therefore the next opportunity for Manchester United to demonstrate that their recent numbers can be sustained. Carrick’s side will be looking to turn their strong long-term run under his management into an effective start to the latest Premier League season.