Carrick calls for cleaner performances as Manchester United seek to keep improving
Michael Carrick is confident that Manchester United are showing signs of improvement.
Manchester United ended their winless run with a 3-2 victory over AS Roma in the Champions League in midweek. The Red Devils recovered from two goals down to claim a dramatic win, and lift the low morale around Old Trafford.
Attention turns back to the Premier League this weekend, with Carrick's side 17th in the table, outside the relegation places on goal difference.
United host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon and Carrick believes recent games have shown positive signs from his team.
Despite trailing against Roma, Carrick believes the overall level from his team 'wasn't so bad'. He called on his side to 'clean up' on the little mistakes that have punctuated their season.
"When you watch the [Roma] game back, in the first half it wasn't so bad. There were moments in there that we left ourselves short really," Carrick said at his pre-match press conference.
"They're the moments we have got to clean up on. Little moments here and there that have changed games for us, which is football, something we have to manage - the first half against Chelsea was very good.
"I think we are showing signs of improvement in that respect. We have got to take that moving forward."
Carrick confirms Carlos Baleba set for 'number of weeks' on the sidelines
Carrick provided an update on his squad ahead of Aston Villa's visit. He said Carlos Baleba, who limped off against Roma with a hamstring issue, is facing several weeks out. Patrick Dorgu is nearing a return.
"Carlos, we don't know exactly, but it will be a number of weeks. It won't be any time over the international break. It will be a bit longer than that.
"Patrick has done a little bit of training this week. Very, very small. We have got to be patient with Pat.
"He has had a good period of time now, a couple of hamstrings that we have to manage and be patient with that over the next couple of weeks.
"He is slowly getting back with us, so we will have to see if he can be involved with us at the weekend or not."
