Man Utd boss Michael Carrick: 'Man City verdict has affected me personally'

City are appealing against verdicts that they breached financial regulations over a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018.

Carrick was part of the United side that finished second behind City in the Premier League in 2011/12 and 2017/18, making the case particularly significant for the former England midfielder.

City's dramatic title win in 2012 remains especially painful for United supporters. Sergio Aguero scored a stoppage-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season to secure the title for City, denying United another Premier League crown.

"I've got my own questions about it. It's affected me personally in different ways over a period of time," Carrick said.

"It's unprecedented, you know, a unique situation to be in, at this level with such a huge impact in so many ways. So, we all need to know what's going to happen, really. I think that's pretty clear."

Carrick believes a swift conclusion to the appeal would benefit everyone involved, with the potential consequences for City including a points deduction or other significant sporting sanctions if the verdicts stand.

"As the case is going now, I don't know where that stands and how it's going to end up. So we'll just have to wait and see," he said.

"What I will say, the sooner it gets sorted, I think for everyone's benefit, is essential."

United could potentially benefit if the outcome leads to changes affecting City's previous title successes. However, Carrick admitted that being awarded a title years after the event would not recreate the emotions of winning it on the pitch.

"In sport, certainly in football, the strive to win and the emotion, the feeling about winning is a lot of it is in the moment," he said.

"Once that's done, there's no getting that back in any direction. That's the feeling we all crave is coming out on top."

Carrick added that receiving a medal retrospectively would not compare with the experience of winning a championship when the result was decided.

"The medal here or there, not getting blase about it, but that doesn't bring the feeling of when you initially win or you don't win," he said. "That's essentially what we're all in it for."

Meanwhile, Carrick must turn his attention to United's immediate problems. His side have won just one of their opening five league matches and sit 12th in the table ahead of Saturday's meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Tottenham are bottom of the standings, but Carrick warned against judging them solely on their position. The United manager previously played for Spurs and believes their performances have not always been reflected in their results.

"Just another game. Points-wise, I think Tottenham have played a lot better than it shows at times," he said.

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