United head into the game on the back of a narrow win over Everton thanks to a second-half goal from Benjamin Sesko who bagged his seventh Premier League goal.
The Red Devils remain three points clear of both Chelsea and Liverpool in fourth place in the table as they aim to secure Champions League football after missing out on European football this season.
Team news
Carrick, who is in pole position to take the job permanently next season, first spoke on team news as he gave updates on a number of players who are close to returning to the side.
"Mason (Mount) is getting closer, he’s on the grass, he’s looking to train and be around it. We’ve just had to be patient really. Matthijs (de Ligt) has had a back issue, which has been a little bit sore to progress really. He’s heading in the right direction."
De Ligt's injury: "It’s the nature of the injury, the issue in the back, it’s a difficult one to pin down time-wise. He’s definitely improving."
Maguire is invaluable
Questions next turned to Harry Maguire, who reports suggest could be handed a new contract over the coming months as the club seek to hold on to a player that Carrick believes is ageing like fine wine.
"Within the squad there is that balance, you want that younger potential and excitement and helping develop player, you need the sweet spot in the middle with players at the peak and experience is massive. It’s hard to put a price on how valuable that can be. Harry has gained an awful lot of experience with this club. Case (Casemiro) leaving is another one."
"There is a case, as your career goes when you’re a young player and everything is fresh and knew your fearless and there’s not many scars there. You get to your peak years and you feel good and everything is there, but you’ve had a few ups and downs.
"You get towards the later times and the experience should make you a better player, we’ve seen that with Harry’s performances of late. That’s why experience is important, I felt it when I was playing, 31 or 32 were my best years of being and that sweet spot to do it physically still but use the experiences to know what is coming."
Carrick must focus on his own side
Moving on from Maguire, Carrick was asked about Champions League qualification as Chelsea and Liverpool remain hot on their heels in the race for European football.
"It’s certainly where we want to be. We can’t take things for granted that the past is the past that it takes care of what should happen. We have to earn it and show we’re good enough, that’s why when you achieve success it is warranted.
"At the moment it’s laser-focused on what is ahead for us, there is no point us looking elsewhere. We know where we want to be and what we have to do to get there. Looking at what else is going around Europe is not going to help us, but it’s where we want to be."