Carrick: United can make up lost ground
Handed a dreadful run of away fixtures, which have gleaned just three wins and eight goals, and with their campaign twice punctuated by postponements due to commitments elsewhere, United are a little way behind pacesetters Liverpool and Chelsea.
Home matches with Wigan and Fulham do offer the perfect chance to make up some lost ground in the next few weeks, although, as Carrick accepts, nothing can be taken for granted. Nevertheless, as United landed back in Manchester after a nine-day trip that has left them drained and tired but with the trophy that confirms they are number one in the world, the England midfielder believes the Red Devils still have a big chance to complete a title hat-trick.
“Given what we have had to cope with so far this season, we always felt if we were within touching distance at Christmas, it would not be too bad,” said Carrick.
“We have achieved that.
“There is an awful long way to go in the season and games in hand are not guaranteed points, but we are pretty pleased with where we are.
“Now it is up to us to keep winning and applying the pressure to those above us.”
Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to express the opinion that United will gain added strength from their Far East exploits when they return to domestic combat.
The first test will come at the Britannia Stadium on St Stephen’s Day when Stoke lie in wait to take advantage of any jet-lag remaining in United legs.
Carrick did not actually say the Old Trafford club face a tougher test in the Potteries than they got from LDU Quito on Sunday. But in a way, he was just being kind.
The South Americans may be more cagey and more adept at breaking a game up, as they proved by offering little themselves despite having a man advantage once Nemanja Vidic had been sent off, but they are incapable of maintaining the kind of aerial bombardment Tony Pulis’ side will subject United to.
“Stoke is a different situation,” he observed.
“Quito was a test but Stoke will be tough.
“They will make it a battle and try to ensure it is not easy for us. They will probably come at us a little bit more than Quito did.
“As always, we are going there to win but Stoke have a decent home record, so it will be hard, especially coming back off this.”
Although Carrick was by no means the worst player affected by a 12-hour flight and nine-hour time difference, he is hoping the return trip does not have the same effect.
Some, such as Edwin van der Sar and Patrice Evra, found the problem very hard to deal with, as did Ferguson, who could only respond with jealousy when informed match-winner Wayne Rooney had encountered no problems at all.
Tiredness is one of the factors Ferguson will have to take into account when he assesses what side to pick on Friday. On form, Carrick will be in it.
Although many felt United had overpaid when they spent £18million to lure him from Tottenham, it has proved to be a shrewd investment.
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