Carrick experienced the fixture 23 times as a United player and was on the coaching staff for further editions. Speaking at his pre-match press conference at Carrington on Friday, he was asked whether it retains its status as the standout game regardless of where either club sits.
"It's certainly one of my favourite games, without a doubt," he said. "It's a standout game. There are big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but this one is right up there. The history, the ups and downs the past has produced in these types of games, and the excitement and entertainment and the emotion, which is a huge part of it — it makes it a really special game."
When pushed on what comes to mind first when he thinks of the fixture, Carrick was direct.
"It's just that edge and that competition, really. Irrespective of league positions over the years, of who's been on top at certain times or whatever, it's never really changed the feeling of the game and the emotion of the supporters. It's about really appreciating what it means to the supporters. We have to do that. It's just a special game to be part of. And obviously to come out on top is one of the best feelings you'll get."
United go into Sunday in third place, one point clear of Liverpool in fourth, with a win potentially clinching their return to the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool — who won the league last season under Arne Slot — are level on points with Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish. Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah, who will leave Anfield in the summer, will not be available having sustained a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Carrick was asked what it would mean to finish above the reigning champions.
"I think it shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger. To be coming into this game in such a good position on the back of good results — I'm fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us. But that's not something we've really focused on going into this game. It's a one-off game. They've got terrific players, they're a good team, they won the league last year. We respect everything that goes into the game. Sunday is a whole different ball game."
On team news, Matthijs de Ligt remains absent, but Carrick was optimistic about Matheus Cunha, who missed the win over Brentford with a hip flexor problem.
"Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we're hopeful. We're not sure but we're hopeful. Other than that, we're in good shape really."
Kobbie Mainoo's new contract, announced on Thursday, also came up. Carrick was asked how he found the 21-year-old when he first arrived in January, given Mainoo had barely played under Ruben Amorim.
"Like all the players, trying to get that relationship and understanding, building relationships. Certainly understanding what it had looked like for Kobbie over the last two or three years, the ups and the downs and the big highs and some challenging times. Letting him thrive, just giving him that platform to go and be himself. He's evolved, he's improving all the time — with more confidence, more responsibility, more belief. He keeps adding to his game. There's loads more to come. I keep saying that because he's just a young man. He's in a great spot at the moment."
On what Mainoo could achieve before his new deal expires in 2031, when he will still be only in his mid-twenties, Carrick set out the challenge plainly.
"Hopefully he's here for a long time and he's part of successful teams that win things, win trophies. That has to be the aim. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be straightforward, but that's the challenge. We want to be competing for the biggest of trophies. We've done it in the past and we need to do it again."
Casemiro's form under Carrick — the Brazilian central midfielder is heading for the exit door this summer — also drew a considered response. Carrick, who played in United's midfield until he was 36, was asked how he manages a player of that experience and age.
"With certain players at that stage, with a lot of experience, players are a lot of the time a little bit what they are. You trust them to know themselves. With Case, it's been about knowing what he's good at, what he can bring to the team and trying to play to his strengths, and having a real trust in his experience and the level that he has. To play for so long at such a level takes a lot of sacrifice, a lot of work. It's not easy. To do what he's done over such a long period of time takes a lot of time, and a lot of credit to him for doing what he has."
A question about squad depth — and whether United could handle sixty games across four competitions next season — drew a characteristically measured reply.
"It's certainly a different challenge to what we've had over the last three or four months. It's a natural one. It's where we want to be, so it's a real positive if that is the case. We're evolving all the time, always trying to improve, always trying to be stronger, whether that's quality, whether that's depth, the make-up of the squad, the balance of the team. We're constantly pushing to move forward."
On what makes Sunday special in the context of the two clubs' global standing, Carrick stepped back to take in the broader picture.
"It's a real privilege for us all to be involved in it, whatever capacity. I think there's a way of how you do it as well — what the standards look like, what the behaviours are and what you stand for as a football club. It's two incredible football clubs. To be so close together in so many ways, in terms of titles, geography — it's not far away. To have such an impact over such a period of time is quite special, and I think we all appreciate that."