Carrick has treble vision

MANCHESTER United midfielder Michael Carrick is aiming to take a ‘defining’ step towards the treble this week — with a hat-trick of victories.

After defeating Tottenham in the FA Cup, Alex Ferguson’s side plan to cement their place at the top of the table tonight when they face Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

That game is followed by a visit to White Hart Lane and another encounter with Spurs on Saturday.

Then there is the small matter of a two-legged Champions League match against Lyon to come.

Carrick is up for the challenge on three fronts.

He said: “Weeks like this can define a season. If we can get the three wins we are aiming for then we will be in good shape.”

“A club like ours is in competitions to win them and we’re now starting to look towards Wembley,” Carrick said yesterday.

Boss Ferguson feels that a repeat of the famous 1999 season is on the cards.

“The treble is achievable for us, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“We know it would be tremendously difficult for us, or any team, but if you are in the competitions then it is a possibility.”

Neville and Silvestre are again sidelined through injury but United have coped admirably in their absence.

Paul Scholes is pushing for a place in the starting line-up tonight following a 25-minute appearance in the fourth round tie, three months after a knee operation.

French striker Louis Saha again misses out, however, as he recovers from a knee problem.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is expecting Portsmouth’s latest trip to Old Trafford to be a difficult one.

“We will go up there and try to give them a right go. These games against the top four are bonus games for us now,” he added.

“If you are near the bottom of the league, the prospect of going up to United can be frightening but we are in no danger of relegation now, we’re playing well away from home and it is something to look forward to.

“Ronaldo’s fantastic, Rooney, too, and Carlos Tevez. They can rip you to pieces if you are not careful.

“But we’ve got a good squad now even without the four lads (Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu, John Utaka and Sulley Muntari) away in the African Nations Cup. We’ll be very strong when they come back.