Maresca praises Carrick's work at United but dismisses derby preparation complaints

Enzo Maresca has praised Michael Carrick’s early impact at Manchester United while firmly rejecting any suggestion that United’s compressed preparation time ahead of Sunday’s derby deserves special consideration.

United played their Champions League fixture on Thursday — two days later than City’s Tuesday trip to Porto — leaving Carrick’s side with fewer recovery days before the Manchester derby. Carrick described the scheduling as “not ideal”, but Maresca was unmoved, noting that City faced an identical situation last season when they hosted Napoli on a Thursday before travelling to Arsenal on the Sunday.

“To be honest, the club mentioned to me that it happened exactly the same last year when the club played Napoli and then after two days played Arsenal. Sometimes it happens in football,” Maresca said. “I don’t have any doubt that Man United are going to be ready for that. That happens and you need to adapt. It happened last year with us, this season with them, next season it will happen with a different team.”

Despite the scheduling quirk, United’s early-season form has been mixed. A surprise defeat at newly promoted Hull City in their opening game was followed by a 2-2 draw at Everton in which they twice surrendered the lead. At Old Trafford, however, they have looked far more dangerous, scoring 10 goals across two home matches this season.

Maresca also has history with Carrick, having faced him when Carrick was in charge at Middlesbrough three years ago during Maresca’s time at Leicester. The Italian was complimentary about what his counterpart has built since stepping up from interim manager at Old Trafford.

“I think he’s doing a fantastic job since last season,” Maresca said. “He took over in a complicated situation, finished very well. This season more or less starts in the same way so he’s doing a very good job.”

Carrick’s United did get the better of City last season when he first took the reins on an interim basis, a result that will add an extra edge to Sunday’s fixture regardless of which side arrives better rested.