Michael Carrick has claimed Manchester United are finally showing signs of emerging from the club's post-Sir Alex Ferguson hangover.

United have won just one major honour -- last season's FA Cup -- and secured just one top-four finish in the Premier League since Ferguson retired as manager in May 2013.

During the past three years, United have twice missed out on Champions League qualification and are now onto their third manager, Jose Mourinho, since Ferguson ended his 28-year reign at the club.

But Carrick, 35, believes United are now beginning to feel like a club and a team that is going places again.

"It was never going to happen overnight," Carrick said. "I don't think we were ever going to suddenly move on so quickly.

"Sir Alex had been here so long. It doesn't happen overnight and everyone just forgets about it, but there are certain signs that we are getting there. I can say that.

"I know we are well away in the league, but there are signs that we can feel something is coming. Time will only tell with that, though.

"It is something to build on. It is not something where you just flick a switch and everything is all right.

Michael Carrick has liked what he's seen from Manchester United lately. Getty Images

"You have to build as a team, gain experience, build something and get some momentum behind you."

Despite United sitting eight points adrift of fourth place ahead Arsenal of Sunday's trip to Everton, who lie just one point behind them in seventh, Carrick is confident that the club possess the credentials on and off the pitch to turn the corner in the Premier League.

"I think we have the players to do it and the manager has certainly done it before, but it takes time," he said.

"There is something we can take from the performances and something that we can build on going into Christmas. But I can say that all I want. You have to do it. You have to get results.

"If we can get results and momentum, that is the idea. There are a lot of positives from performances and individuals performances and team performances and for the rest of the season, I think we will be all right.

"It hasn't quite happened in the league for a number of reasons, but if we keep playing like we have been, we will be OK.

"But obviously we need to get winning games in the league as quickly as possible."