REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Manchester United secured a 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but it still wasn't a convincing performance from the Red Devils.
The win won't be enough to relieve all the pressure on Carrick, with United still struggling in the Premier League with just one win this season.
United struggled for large portions of the game and were even 2-0 down after just 18 minutes. A late onslaught allowed them to turn things around, but there were still some concerning performances out there.
The players undoubtedly have to improve if they want to start climbing the Premier League table again, while Carrick likely remains under pressure.
A win in the Champions League won't gloss over everything, making the game against Aston Villa on Sunday huge.
Diogo Dalot is one player who has received a lot of criticism for his performance against Roma.
The Portuguese fullback could have undoubtedly done better for one of Roma's goals, but he certainly wasn't the only player who underperformed.
Ayden Heaven was another who had a difficult evening, and it's certainly not the first time this season.
The young centre-back has struggled at times at senior level, perhaps showing that he's not quite ready to be playing week in, week out for a club like United.
Man Utd goals conceded Premier League
It's an issue that stems back to United failing to strengthen in the defensive department during the summer transfer window.
There is a lot of pressure on the shoulders of Heaven, who has a lack of experience at senior level, as United don't have many options at the back.
Those who are at the club have been underperforming, especially the likes of Lisandro Martinez, who was dropped from the starting XI for the game against Roma.
The difficulty Carrick does have is that dropping Heaven would logically mean bringing in Martinez again, but there is another solution.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the match
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the match
Leny Yoro back to centre-back
REUTERS/Susana Vera
Moving Leny Yoro to centre-back could be the route for United to replace Heaven in the starting XI.
Carrick has Noussair Mazraoui as an option to go at full-back, but he's not looked to rely on him too much this season.
It's unclear why Carrick has been reluctant to play Mazraoui, but it's certainly a solution that could benefit United.
Heaven clearly isn't ready to be playing regularly in the Premier League, while Yoro deserves a chance to play in his favoured position.
Yoro has had some strong performances at right-back for the Red Devils, but they should be looking to build their future around a player like him, playing in his favoured position of centre-back.
Heaven's time will come, but if United want to improve defensively, then he isn't the answer for them. Carrick is under a lot of pressure, and if he wants to save his job, Dalot and Heaven might need a spell out of the side.