Carrick: It Is Not Yet Over

Michael Carrick refused to be downbeat after United’s 2-2 draw with FC Porto in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

United’s below-par first-half display and soft goals conceded at either end of the match mean it’s far from an ideal scenario heading to Porto next Tuesday. But Carrick won’t let the disappointment of letting a 2-1 lead slip get him down.

“We can beat anyone on our day, so we will go to Portugal with confidence and believing we can win,” he told MUTV. “We’ll give it our best shot.

“They’re a good team, but I wouldn’t say we’ll worry about that. They’re a good side and you expect that at this stage of the competition.”

The match came just two days after a gruelling 3-2 win over Aston Villa, which itself was hot on the heels of the two-week international break. It clearly took it’s toll, but Carrick was pleased with the way United responded.

“We didn’t feel nervous, we were well aware that things weren’t going right, so you just try your best to rectify that. We didn’t start well at all but we got better as the game went on. It was just really unfortunate that we conceded right at the end.

“But we’re not getting too down about the result. We’re not out. We’re still involved and we have plenty to play for. Now we have another massive game on Saturday against Sunderland and we’re looking forward to it.”