Michael Carrick believes Manchester United can reach the heights achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson but is not expecting the same level of patience.

Friday marks 40 years since Ferguson was appointed United manager on November 6, 1986. It is an anniversary that comes at a particularly significant moment for the club, with Carrick's position in charge still facing intense scrutiny.

United's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Roma in midweek offered Carrick some much-needed breathing space after a nine-game winless run, but Sunday's Premier League clash against Aston Villa, live on Sky, represents another significant test.

The timing of Ferguson's anniversary also provides an opportunity to reflect on the scale of the task facing United.

Ferguson inherited a club that had not won the league title since 1967 and needed almost seven years to deliver its first championship under him. What followed was an unprecedented period of success, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

Carrick insists there is no reason the club cannot return to the top, but believes it must be built on consistent performances rather than quick fixes.

"It's difficult to bring success. It was difficult then, and it's difficult now," he said.

"It just shows you how tough it is to have sustained success, never mind moments of success.

"We've got to live in the moment. We know what we've got to do, and we've got to be focused on bringing success week to week in games.

"Then things fall into place. If you do that enough, and do it often enough, you'll bring a bigger version of it.

Asked whether it was realistic for United to be judged against the standards set by Ferguson, Carrick said: "It's not impossible. Anything's possible.

"You've got to build. You've got to be realistic, and you've got to put things into perspective as well.

"Look at the recent history we've had, where we're trying to get to and what we want to achieve. It's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. It's not going to happen overnight.

"Success does take time, and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build.

"We showed a really quick response and improved a lot last season, and that shows what's possible.

"But sustaining it is the key. Consistency is the key. There's no other way of doing it, and there are no shortcuts.

"The game has certainly changed, no doubt. It always does. It evolves, and it had evolved by the time Sir Alex came in, probably after Sir Matt [Busby] and the years following that.

"It evolves all the time. That's how it is. It changes, and we've got to deal with what's in front of us. That's us.

"I understand the comparisons. There are always different things to compare, but we have to live in the present as well and definitely use past experiences to help us.

"Time and patience, but we're all desperate to win football matches and win them as quickly as we possibly can."

Carrick also reflected on Ferguson's influence on him during his playing career, revealing the pair have developed a closer relationship since he left the game.

"I'm probably closer to him now and speak to him more than I did when I was playing. I think relationships change over time, and that's only natural," he said.

"Ever since I came here, the impact he had on me as an individual was immense.

"Not necessarily directly, in terms of talking all the time or constantly giving advice, but more through the influence he had and the habits you try to pick up from him.

"Then you move on and evolve a little bit into a friendship, really, which is really nice.

"It's just the impact he's had, and continues to have, on this football club."