CARRICK'S DEMAND: Man Utd boss takes Man City charges 'personally' after missing out on TWO titles as he urges speed on appeal verdict

Michael Carrick has admitted Manchester City's guilty verdict has impacted him "personally" and has called for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible.

On September 30, the Premier League confirmed that City had been found guilty on all charges relating to breaches of its financial regulations between 2009/10 and 2017/18. It was revealed that City had artificially inflated revenue by more than £900million through so-called 'sham' sponsorship deals.

City, however, have strongly denied any wrongdoing and lodged an appeal against the ruling on October 1. In an official statement, the club insisted they are "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League" and say they have "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to back their position.

With the Premier League back in full swing following the extended international break, Manchester United head coach Carrick has spoken in public for the first time since City were found guilty.

Carrick was part of the United squad that finished second to City in 2011/12 and then again in 2017/18, and could be in line for another Premier League medal if the Blues are stripped of all their titles.

Speaking in his pre-Tottenham press conference, Carrick said: "Difficult to say in many ways. It's thrown up a lot of questions," Carrick said. "It's ongoing, and there's only so much I can say. I have my own questions about it because it has affected me personally. We'll have to see how it goes. The sooner it gets sorted for everyone, the better.

"There's no getting that back [winning moments] in any direction. The feeling we all crave is coming out on top. That sums it up. Whatever is done in the past, is done in the past.

"Speed is essential, as I just said. That's obvious for me to sit here and say that. There are so many angles, but speed is essential for everybody to be clear, to deal with it, and move on. It's unprecedented to be in this situation at this level. We all need to know what is going to happen."

When asked if he would want to receive an additional Premier League medal, Carrick added: "I think at the moment, as it's still not finalised, I think I'll hold that one until later on.

"I think regardless of anything, a medal anyway, in any sport in history, I think the later on you get the medal [it doesn't mean as much]. It's the moment that you strive for to win and achieve in that moment, so the medal here or there, not getting blasé about it, but that doesn't bring the feeling of when you initially win or you don't win. That's essentially what we're all in it for."

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, delivered a more toned-down response to a question asked about his former club. "I fully understand the question but I think it's really important that we respect the process, the timelines and it's still an ongoing process that's not resolved as it's been appealed," the Spaniard said.

Asked if the situation will inspire City, Arteta added: "I don't know, it's something that's not in our hands, we're preparing to play Leeds and be in the best condition and that's what we'll do tomorrow."

Arteta was appointed as Pep Guardiola's assistant head coach at City in July 2016 and spent three years there before returning to Arsenal in December 2019. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, Arteta helped the club win the Premier League twice, the Carabao Cup on two occasions and the FA Cup.

Liverpool are City's next opponents on Sunday and Reds head coach Andoni Iraola was asked about the situation in his press conference. "I think uncertainty is not good for anyone involved but the process is ongoing so we have to be patient," Iraola said.

Xabi Alonso, the Chelsea head coach, was another Premier League manager asked about City in his press conference, as his side prepare to host Bournemouth this weekend.