Manchester United‘s season has been limited to just 40 matches due to early exits from both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Additionally, they started this season without any European competitions, having lost to Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final in Spain.
Before their game against Everton on Monday night, Michael Carrick emphasized the importance of “getting the balance right” during breaks.
“We try to make it useful in different ways,” he told reporters, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
“With the changes we’ve experienced this month, it was essential to take a few days to reflect and adjust.”
He continued: “The players have trained a bit, taken some days off, and trained again. It’s about maintaining the right balance, keeping the rhythm and focus.”
Michael Carrick discusses potential friendlies for Manchester United
Due to a limited Premier League schedule, there have been suggestions that United might plan some mid-season friendlies in Saudi Arabia.
While there’s been no official confirmation about this, Carrick shared his thoughts when asked about it.
“It depends on many factors; there isn’t a simple answer,” Carrick remarked. “We will decide based on the situation. It depends on the location and timing of the fixtures, so it’s not straightforward. If it’s necessary, we can explore it, focusing on what’s best for the players.”
The Red Devils will play their Premier League match against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night, with kick-off set for 8pm UK time.