Carrick: Ready For The Fight …
Sky: Michael Carrick accepts he will not be guaranteed a starting role with Manchester United next season.
The midfielder had a quietly effective debut campaign at Old Trafford after joining from Tottenham Hotspur in an £18.6million deal.
Carrick missed only five Premier League games as United recaptured the title, but he is aware it will not be easy to stay in the team.
United’s midfield options will be increased with the arrivals of Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani, and Carrick is ready to fight for his place.
“I want to stay here and achieve things here,” Carrick told Inside United. “This is the pinnacle of the game.
“They say the easy part is getting there and the hardest part’s staying there, so I’ve got a big challenge ahead.”
The England international also revealed that playing alongside Paul Scholes at United has improved his game considerably.
He added: “Scholesy has been a massive influence. Just watching him every day lets you appreciate how good he is.
“If you ask anyone in the game who’s in the know, everyone says how good he is and how hard he is to play against. To have him on your team alongside you is great.
“He’s just an awesome player and one that I’m watching in training and learning from, and hopefully taking things from and trying to do the same.”
