The new United boss says that he hopes to bring a ‘fresh start’ for the players and has belief in their ability to perform in the Premier League.

“It's a fresh start, and I've got a lot of belief in the group, individually, and collectively,” said Michael Carrick ahead of today’s game.

“I've got a lot of belief in that, and as I've just said, confidence and a feeling, and things can go in a different direction very quickly, and I've got a lot of belief in the boys.

“I think it’s so half-full, half-empty, it’s what players can't do or the team can't do, we actually forget what they can do, what they're good at and believe in that and work on their strengths and feed off that energy to make you better.

“There's a lot of players and a lot of teams in the world that can't do things, but that doesn't stop them being successful. So, we need to find that ingredient, and I fully believe we can do that.”

Michael Carrick is not thinking about taking on the Manchester United head coach role on a long term basis and says he is realistic about the goals the club want from him.

“I think we're realistic as well, and where we are at the moment, why I'm here and the role I've got to do,” Carrick explained.

“That doesn't change how we go about it in the day-to-day and the focus and making decisions for the long-term kind of strategy of the group and the playing squad and whatever that kind of adds on extra and the layers after that.

“I think I'm certainly not coming in thinking it's a time where week-to-week, game-to-game, we've got to get through it and we've got to tick each one off. I think we're on a plan to improve and improve beyond this season, and however that looks at this moment, all I can control is what we give the players and how we kind of create the atmosphere around the group.

“So that's the main focus and then we'll see what happens after that.”

As Manchester United properly begin the process of appointing a new head coach, one consideration now stands above many others: how a manager looks and feels the moment he “walks in the door”.

It may sound simplistic, but as they found with Ruben Amorim, it remains hugely significant. The club’s leadership – and especially Sir Jim Ratcliffe – believed the Portuguese coach had the personality to carry the weight of such a club. Over time, however, sources say they came to feel he lacked the necessary “emotional maturity”. He simply was not ready.

Pep Guardiola says he was ‘surprised’ by how well Manchester City’s makeshift defence, including Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov as a centre-back pairing, have worked together.

“It’s surprised even me how connected they are and how they help each other. It’s been tough games,” said Guardiola.

“Brighton was a debut for Max and then of course Exeter was a little bit different for the result and then Newcastle away. They were brilliant.

“At the beginning of the season, if you tell me at this important part of the season that this would be the back four I’d say ‘are you sure?’

“But the season is never flat or on the same path, you have to handle it. Nico’s already played many times there; Nathan can play there.

“I’m happy Rayan Ait-Nouri is back, he has incredible special quality not just in the final third but in the build up to help us a lot.

“Khusanov, when he has played this season, he was injured against Arsenal and was out many times, he’s important for us. He’s behaved really well.”

Manchester City are missing John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol through injury and Pep Guardiola gave an update on their recoveries.

"Ruben will be back soon," said Pep Guardiola. "Josko, no. John, hopefully [back soon], we will see."

Not great news for City fans but with Marc Guehi joining the club soon they will at least have an experienced centre-back back in the squad.

"We've had a good week really," said Michael Carrick when issuing an update ahead of today’s derby.

"Matthijs de Ligt has been carrying a bit of an issue but, hopefully, we'll get him back in some time soon. It's been a little bit slower than what they thought previously.

"All in all, the boys are in good shape. I just feel the energy, whether it's fresh or not! Obviously, I'm delighted to be here. I want to work a certain way, I want to enjoy what we do and work hard to get success. The boys have put the work in this week and we feel we're ready."

Speaking on Stick to Football, he stated: "I hope he does really well. There cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season, for Michael and for the club.

"If he wins every game, look, we could be sat here in the season where he’s done unbelievably well, and we’re always thinking the fans are up and they’re in the Champions League places, fifth or whatever.

“It could happen if there’s a good run and we could all be getting swayed with it," he said. "I honestly feel like (you have to look at others) at the end of the season when you’ve got (Mauricio) Pochettino, (Thomas) Tuchel and (Carlo) Ancelotti."

A deal has not been agreed but City are likely to finalise a £20m agreement for the centre-back, who has been withdrawn from the Palace squad to face Sunderland on Saturday.

Manchester City are close to a deal for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi but this game will come too soon for the England international. Defensive trio John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are all unavailable, still.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly; Rodri; Silva, Cherki, Foden, Semenyo; Haaland.

Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo have both returned to Manchester United after their exertions at the Africa Cup of Nations (afcon), and will be considered for Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.

Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco have reached the Afcon final, and Matthijs de Ligt remains absent. Shea Lacey is suspended following his sending off in the FA Cup.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.