Even at the back end of last season, there was no doubt Manchester United were benefiting from having a lot more time between games than the majority of their rivals, but Carrick's team also ended up on the right side of a number of fortunate results.
This time those results have swung the other way- instead of being fortunate to find a late goal to win a game or earn a draw, Manchester United have conceded late goals to drop points against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, while blowing leads at Leeds United and having an incredibly controversial goal awarded against them in the derby.
It is an example of results returning to the mean and Michael Carrick has seemingly lost the faith of the dressing room after comments made by Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes following defeats in the Champions League at Atletico Madrid and Como.
The loss in Italy during the week has been particularly bruising and it has made the fixture against Bournemouth to be played this Sunday feel like a pivotal one.
Dropping points may spark a managerial change, even if the reports are that the club would like to get into the next international break before making any decisions, but that does mean another three Premier League games and another Champions League game to be played.
Once again there is a feeling around the fanbase that Manchester United could be fighting at the wrong end of the Premier League table, while the two Champions League defeats means they are in danger of becoming the first English club to fail to make the Knock Out Rounds from the new Group Stage format of that competition.
Just when you think things cannot get any worse, Manchester United find a way.
Make no mistake, almost all of the problems comes down to the ownership with the hugely disliked Glazer family still in control, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have somehow battered the morale of the supporters even more.
For all of their many faults, the Glazers chose not to take aim at the main core of the supporter base, but INEOS seem to have relished that fight and it just creates a 'toxic' environment much like the one that Erik ten Hag left a couple of years ago.
Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest: Stormy weather is battering the United Kingdom this weekend and this is an important game that could be played in heavy rain and windy conditions.
There is still a feeling that both Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest can offer more going forward than defensively, especially in this home/away situation.
Oliver Glasner's team have yet to get going at the City Ground, but have been creating a lot of chances in the three away League games played and that will give them confidence. Morgan Gibbs-White could be back to offer them a boost and they can give the home team trouble, although the defensive numbers in the 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace suggests Ipswich Town can more than play their part in the contest.
Fantasy: There are a number of players that can make an impact, including the aforementioned Gibbs-White.
However, it may be wiser to select someone like Dan Ndoye who has a couple of away goals to his name already.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City: Enzo Maresca will look to do something that escaped Pep Guardiola while in charge of Manchester City and that is beat Unai Emery's Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Last season Aston Villa won both games against Manchester City, but this is a transitioning team and one that is still searching for the consistency that could see them make rapid moves up the League table.
Recent results have been better, but the potential absence of Johan Manzambi is a big blow and may give Manchester City the edge.
In saying that, it is very difficult to ignore how well Emery's team have matched up with Manchester City and Aston Villa have not been blown away since the 4-0 away defeat at Brighton to open the campaign. Strong results out of the international break will give the home team encouragement and they can be backed with a full goal start on the Asian Handicap.
Fantasy: You'd like Johan Manzambi if he had not picked up an injury, but the big danger for the home team may be Phil Foden who has proven to be a streaky player with his goalscoring.
He has four goals in the last week and may be a key to any Manchester City success.
Arsenal vs Everton: This has been a fixture that has proven to be difficult for Arsenal, but one in which the quality eventually finds a breakthrough.
Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis are both missing, but there is enough depth here to believe Arsenal can do enough to beat Everton once again.
A poor performance resulted in a first Premier League defeat of the season for Everton last week, but they should offer more all around after working with David Moyes for a number of days in preparation for this fixture. There is a threat that Everton offer from set pieces, but Arsenal's focus may be doubled on the defensive side of the field in order to give their own attackers an opportunity or two to earn the three points.
Fantasy: The defenders are all going to be worth selecting when you think Arsenal have conceded once in the last four at home against Everton.
Coventry City vs Fulham: This is another game that looks like it could be played in the middle of the worst off the weather on Saturday afternoon and that may impact the quality on display.
Both Coventry City and Fulham have earned important points in recent weeks, but they are coming into this one behind very different results.
Frank Lampard will always expect a reaction at home, but Fulham have shown they can create chances and this may be a fixture where both teams can get on the scoreboard and then push for an important winner.
Fantasy: Players like Bobby Thomas have shown they can provide fantasy points from their defensive work, but he is also a threat in the final third from set pieces.
Two weeks ago, Jack Rudoni was selected on these pages and has scored twice in a row and looks to be a big threat for the home team.
A Fulham pick, Josh King, has yet to return as expected, but he has been getting into good positions and remains an influential threat in the away ranks.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: This is a London derby where there is no love lost between the two clubs, but games at Stamford Bridge have tended to end in a Chelsea win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Roberto De Zerbi will be relieved his team won last Monday, but it may have come at a cost and opening goalscorer James Maddison is a doubt.
The manager will also need Tottenham Hotspur to show a bit more resiliency defensively if they are going to contain this Chelsea attack and Xabi Alonso's men have looked tougher all around since Moises Caicedo returned to action.
Fantasy: Most will have at least two of the three top Chelsea attackers and it may be Cole Palmer's time to shine.
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United: Pierre Sage is under some pressure, but there is something about this Crystal Palace team that suggests the manager deserves some patience.
He could do with a positive result or two before the next international break and the fans will be expecting a big reaction to the 5-0 loss at Brighton last Sunday.
It is a surprise that Crystal Palace are underdogs, despite that result, and that is because Newcastle United are having some problems getting to grips with what Matthias Jaissle wants to see from his team.
Back to back 4-1 away defeats at Leeds United and Coventry City offers little encouragement and The Magpies look short.
Fantasy: Jean-Philippe Mateta is back for Crystal Palace and that is a big boost, but it is Yeremy Pino who has been providing a lot of the threat in the final third and the Spaniard could be key again.
Hull City vs Brentford: Injuries are beginning to clear up at Hull City, but they cannot afford too many more performances like the one produced at Craven Cottage last weekend.
They offered little bite in the final third and the 1-0 loss was flattering and now Hull City have to deal with a Brentford team who have begun this season in strong form.
Keith Andrews will have been upset as to how they were beaten last weekend by Liverpool in West London and he is also keen to have Brentford begin to pick up more points away from home. So far Brentford have been tough to beat, but they have the qualities to do a little more in this part of Yorkshire and that means finding the goals in the final third to send Hull City to a first home defeat of the season.
Fantasy: We have yet to see the best of Igor Thiago this season, but he will take heart from the goal Thierno Barry scored here earlier this month and can kickstart his season at the MKM Stadium.
Liverpool vs Brighton: There is a fear that the weather could worsen around Anfield ahead of this Sunday Premier League fixture, but the likelihood is that this will not be a victim to the conditions and the game will kick off as planned.
Both Liverpool and Brighton are managed by men who want to see the team get forward and create problems for the other, but the weather may make that more difficult.
Brighton look like a team that will take some chances with their shooting and that could see them rack up at least four Shots on Target, although whether that is enough to secure a positive result is another question.
Liverpool have enjoyed hosting Brighton and found a way to win matches that they have perhaps not deserved to win, which makes them dangerous, but Fabian Hurzeler's men should contribute to the fixture with plenty of attacking threat posed.
Fantasy: There are a number of players on both sides of the pitch that will feel they can impact this fixture and that makes Fantasy decisions harder to call.
Alexander Isak looks to have found his feet in a Liverpool shirt and could be the main threat for the hosts, while Diego Gomez is well rested after scoring what could be the goal of the season last weekend.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth: Before the European games were played this week, Manchester United were odds on to win this fixture, but that price has been drifting since the embarrassing loss to Como.
Making matters worse are the comments made by Bruno Fernandes in the aftermath of the 4-1 defeat in Italy and Michael Carrick is under immense pressure.
Will the players try for the manager? Most likely, but Manchester United have not enjoyed playing Bournemouth in recent seasons and they are unlikely to snap a 6 game winless run against this opponent.
The real worry is that Bournemouth win for a third time in four visits to Old Trafford and leave Michael Carrick with nowhere to go.
Fantasy: Bryan Mbeumo has been the biggest Manchester United contributor in recent weeks, but they look vulnerable and Evanilson is in the form to capitalise.
Sunderland vs Leeds United: The pressure is building on Regis Le Bris, but Sunderland may be facing Leeds United at a good time after Daniel Farke suggested his first choice attacking players could all miss out.
However, Leeds United have shown plenty of resilience and they have the qualities to make life awkward for the hosts.
Sunderland rested some important players in the 1-1 draw at Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday, but they are finding it tough to find the balance between the Premier League and those new European commitments. It has been a factor in the poor start to the season and it may just be a game in which Sunderland look to snap a poor run of form.
Four losses in a row has seen them slide to the bottom of the table, but the last two between Sunderland and Leeds United at the Stadium of Light have both ended in draws and this could be another.
Fantasy: With the injuries in the Leeds United camp, the fantasy options look limited from a game that could easily end 1-1.
MY PICKS: Ipswich Town-Nottingham Forest Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.72 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Aston Villa + 1 Asian Handicap @ 1.80 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Arsenal Win to Nil @ 2.30 William Hill (1 Unit)
Coventry City-Fulham Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.75 William Hill (1 Unit)
Chelsea to Win & Over 1 Total Goal @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit) Early Payout if Two Up
Crystal Palace + 0.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.85 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Brentford to Win & Over 1 Goal @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit) Early Payout if Two Up
Brighton Over 3.5 Shots on Target @ 1.66 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Sunderland-Leeds United Draw @ 3.30 Bet Fred (0.5 Units)
Premier League 26/27: 14-23-1, - 5.43 Units (37 Units Staked, - 14.68% Yield)
2026 World Cup: 57-45-1, + 8.63 Units (103 Units Staked, + 8.38% Yield)
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