Ya, there are actually 3 gaskets that accompany the manifold. 2 lower and 1 full for the area you mention. I HIGHLY doubt that gasket has any issues. Just clean it off and go about your way. That buildup is gonna happen and isn't carbon, but a mixture of every single gunk and grime that engines accumulate, heh. You'll be aight.

If it was the 2 lower, well, I would say that might be worth looking into. Those are a problem for ALL of us.