The team has not gone 10 matches without a victory in a single season since that period, leaving the club in a precarious position as it approaches the forthcoming international break with growing pressure on the manager. The club currently sits lower in the standings than at any point after at least nine games of a season since the 1989-90 campaign, when the team occupied 17th place.
Carrick watched over a lively open session of pre-match training at Carrington, working with a squad that includes 21-year-old Mainoo, one of the youngest players in the group.
Addressing the bleak backdrop surrounding the club, Carrick is viewing the match as an opportunity to alter the narrative of the season rather than fret over potential outcomes.
"Whatever happens is going to happen in whatever direction it goes in, but we want to make it a big night tomorrow."."You might think I'm crazy with the results we've had and what's going on, but genuinely, I really can't wait for the game,"Carrick added."We've not had the results we've wanted, but I feel like we're one win away from changing that,"Carrick said.
They have not gone 10 without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78 and there is a growing feeling Carrick will lose his job during the forthcoming international break.
We've not had the results we've wanted, but I feel like we're one win away from changing that."Their lowest position after at least nine games of a season since then was 17th in 1989-90.
At 21, Mainoo is one of the youngest players in Carrick's squad.
"You might think I'm crazy with the results we've had and what's going on, but genuinely, I really can't wait for the game,"said Carrick.
It is a bleak backdrop, but rather than fret over what lies ahead, Carrick is viewing it as a chance to change the narrative of the season.