Only John O'Shea and Jonny Evans are certain of retaining their starting spots from Tuesday's Champions League draw with Inter Milan for the Carling Cup Final against Spurs.

Ferguson has already told Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck they are in, Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar seem unlikely to be involved given they are yet to play a single minute in the competition, while Ryan Giggs tends not to be involved in two matches a week these days.

Throw in the likelihood of Paul Scholes, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney being recalled after missing out from the start at the San Siro and it could almost be a completely different Red Devils line-up for the first domestic showpiece of the season.

But Carrick, himself one of the men set to drop down, does not feel it could be described as a lesser team. Instead, it merely proves the strength Ferguson has at his disposal.

"No matter who the boss picks, it won't be a weakened team," said the England midfielder.

"We have been on a good run lately, winning a lot of games, and there have been changes in each one.

"It doesn't affect how we have played or the way we have gone about our jobs.

"Whatever the team is on Sunday, I am sure we will produce a good performance."

Carrick feels too much time has passed since his £18.6million move from White Hart Lane for the irritation Tottenham felt at his departure to be much of an issue now.

Instead, he wants to concentrate solely on doing whatever is required to help the world champions land their second piece of silverware this season, although he is still refusing to entertain talk of a quintuple.

"It would still be on if we win on Sunday but it would also still be a long way off," reflected the Wallsend-born star.

"The games are coming thick and fast now. Most of them are big ones and we just want that next piece of silverware."