Carrick Back On Track

Michael Carrick admits he is relieved to be enjoying his football again following a prolonged battle to hit top form.

The midfielder quickly became one of United's most influential players after joining from Tottenham in the summer of 2006. But he struggled to reach his high standards last season and consequently was not always a regular starter.

A troublesome Achilles problem did not help the situation, but having now fully recovered from the niggle, Carrick feels he is back on the right track.

"I should have got something done sooner about my Achilles because I was carrying it for a while," he revealed. "It is easier to say that now, but now I have got rid of it I feel great and realise how bad it was. I am happy with my game and enjoying my football now which is pleasing.

"You have good times and you have bad times," he added. "I am not big enough to be saying I should be playing every game. I know when I am not playing well. I wasn't hitting my best form [last season] so I couldn't argue about that. It was up to me to play well again."

Carrick says he has not let any criticism outside the club affect him, insisting the only opinion he is interested in is that of Sir Alex and the coaching staff.

"I don't think I had to answer any critics. It is about the what the manager and the staff here think," he declared. "Other than that whatever else is said by others you just have to brush it aside, believe in yourself and stay positive. I knew things would come good."