Michael Carrick

United’s number 16, Michael Carrick, is on the way to his second Premier League title. This happens as he arrived at the Old Trafford on July the 26th, two years ago. Manchester United are currently leading the EPL five points ahead of Chelsea and six points clear of former leaders Arsenal. The Red Devils are in the pole-position for defending their title, with 6 weeks left to play. Carrick is considered a key player by Alex Ferguson and together with the top class starts like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney Man Utd have huge chances to end up the season on the top spot. It’s a favorable finish of the stage for the team from Manchester as they managed to profit from Arsenal’s downfall. The Gunners pretty much dominated the Premier League for the most part of the season. With Eduardo’s ugly injury everything started to go on the wrong side for Arsene Wenger’s side. Man Utd helped by Cristiano Ronaldo, managed to register a nice chain of 7 Premier League wins and claimed the leading spot.

Man Utd are also still involved in the Champions League as they reached the quarter-finals level. They will play against AS Roma tomorrow in Italy in a re-editation of last years duel. The 26 year old English midfielder scored last year against Roma at the Old Trafford a great goal in that fairytale 7-1 win over the Italian side. You can watch and see if Carrick will be able to score again for United in the UCL following Tuesday’s live football provided by the peer-to-peer technology. You can find free live streams here an watch Roma vs Man Utd live on your personal computer. To watch a game live online it’s pretty simple as you just need to install a small free software on your computer. Sometimes this is not even needed as some channels provide free broadcast over the Windows Media Player.

Let me also update you with some fresh information about Carrick. He played in the starting eleven of Manchester United’s Saturday Premier League game. The Red Devils won the game with 4-0. Alex Ferguson rested Michael Carrick as he decided to substitute him with Anderson in the 61st minute. The scoreboard was already showing 3-0 for the home side. The reports prior to tomorrow’s 20.45 CET kick-off state that Carrick will start the game in Roma on the bench.

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United will have a real fight on their hands this season-if they are to retain their Premiership title. The Red Devils opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-2 draw against Japanese side Urawa Reds and the midfielder believes United will have to be even better this season to see off their rivals. “It is going to be tough to win the league this season, tougher than it was last year,” said the England star.

“We know just how hard it will be. Everyone will improve. But we are desperate to win it again and feel we will be better ourselves.

“Once you win one trophy, it is not so much that you want to win more, it is that you expect to.”

The former West Ham and Tottenham man will have to fight it out with Paul Scholes and Hargreaves for the two starting berths in the centre of midfield, although Carrick admits that he still isn’t sure how Sir Alex Ferguson plans to use the three of them.

“The manager has not said anything to us yet about the way he intends to use us all,” said Carrick.

“At the moment, we are just trying to get as fit as we can.

How did you feel when the manager handed you the number 16 shirt?

Fine, to be honest it doesn’t really make any difference what number I had. Obviously in the past Roy Keane’s had that number and he’s been a legend for the club, but numbers don’t mean a great deal to me. It’s a matter of going out and playing my own game. There was a lot of hype about it but it doesn’t make any difference.

Did you have many battles with Keano on the pitch?

I had a few good games against him, and I had a few bad games as well when we got turned over a few times. He’s one of the greats of the game and he’s always going to be remembered but I’m not going to be thinking about him, I’m going to be playing my own gamen and do my thing the best I can.

The success of players like Keane and Robson proves that you can become a legend here playing that position…

That was a big thing that attracted me to the club. The gaffer’s had these world class players but maybe before they were here they weren’t as big, they’ve come to this club developed into fantastic players and achieved massive things. If I can do some of what they’ve achieved, I’ll be happy.

Like United legend Steve Bruce you’re another player who started out at Wallsend Boys’ Club, what’s the secret of that place?

I dunno, it’s one of those funny things. There have been lots of players who’ve made it from there, but it’s hard to sum up. It’s the spirit of the place, the discipline it teaches you, the standard of football, the coaches, everything. My dad is vice-chairman at the moment and it’s just a great thing for kids to have. When I was young nearly everyone at our school was playing at the boys’ club and it’s just part of the whole community.

Does it put any added pressure on you as a kid, knowing so many great players have come out of there in the past?

Not at all, I don’t think it’s even about becoming a professional footballer, first of all it’s a place to hang out and have a laugh with your mates. There’s no pressure to make it big at all, it’s just somewhere to go and have a good time, and playing football involves just that, especially in the North-East.

You came through the ranks at West Ham with players like Joe Cole, have you looked at his success in the Premiership with Chelsea and thought, I want to emulate that?

Of course. I’m pleased for Joe, he’s gone on to great things but I want to win things too. He’s not my inspiration though because that’s always been my ambition in the game. When you see someone you grew up with do so well you’re chuffed to bit for them, but now I’m challenging him a bit more it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top! I’ve got a burning ambtion to win the league, it’s something I’ve always dreamt of. To win the cups is great, but to win the league is a special thing and hopefully we can do that.

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Michael Carrick missed the game against Aston Villa and could be out for a few matches in the Holiday period. Sir Alex Ferguson said that the injury was not a serious one, but we are not too sure about it. He will certainly miss the game against Wigan on boxing day according to ManUtd.com and will face a late fitness test before the Reading game at Old Trafford.

There have been other reports on various sites that he may be out for over a month, but that is just speculation on the part of the media. We will come to know in the days to come and whether he takes part versus Reading or atleast for the trip to Newcastle.

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