“It’s the best feeling I have to say,” Carrick said of winning the game in what he knew as ‘Fergie time’ when a player here. “Some of the best moments I’ve been part of here, you can dissect performances and there are plusses and not, and then you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.

“For me there’s no better place than in front of the Stretford End like that. It ends up meaning more. People leave here with more than just, ‘United won today’ – it’s layers on top of that, the emotion and the feeling and it’s why we all love it so much.”

When Manchester United scored their injury-time winner, the cameras panned to Sir Alex Ferguson, because that is what happens at such moments. It was Fergie Time.

It was also a Carrick scoreline, though. A second successive 3-2 win, a third in the six matches Michael Carrick has overseen – including three in 2021 – seemed confirmation that, calm a character as the head coach is, he can preside over some dramatic, terrific matches.

Thomas Frank will hope to welcome back Micky van de Ven, who missed the City draw with a minor problem, and Dominic Solanke is expected to be fit despite being withdrawn early in that game with a rolled ankle.

Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur are among those out with longer-term injuries, while Saturday will come too soon for the returns of Richarlison and Pedro Porro.

Predicted Tottenham XI: Vicario; Gray, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gallagher, Palhinha, Sarr; Kolo Muani, Simons, Solanke.

United should welcome back Mason Mount after taking a knock in training ahead of the Fulham clash.

Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt remain sidelined.

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

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Ultimate, with coverage starting at 11am.

Subscribers can also stream the match on discovery+.

Manchester United’s clash with Tottenham kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 7 February at Old Trafford.

Manchester United play host to Tottenham in today’s lunchtime kick-off with Michael Carrick hoping to maintain his perfect start to life as interim boss at Old Trafford.

He’ll nevertheless strive to make it four in a row against the team he joined United from as a player in 2006, with the prospect of a relegation fight more than non-existent for Tottenham.

Thomas Frank perhaps survived another close shave with the sack last weekend, with Spurs salvaging a 2-2 draw against Manchester City despite putting in a lifeless first-half performance, but the Dane will need to keep the good results coming if he is to survive long in the Spurs hot seat.

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford.

It’s another big outing for Michael Carrick’s men who have, so far, been perfect under the new boss with three wins from three games.

Carrick is hoping to lead the team into a top four finish and sinking Spurs would be another huge result for the interim.

Likewise, a victory at Old Trafford would ease a mountain of pressure on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank whose struggling side sit 14th in the table and are dealing with a mounting list of injury concerns.

We’ll have all the updates and team news throughout the day so stick around as we build up to kick off at 12.30pm.