Carrick: We Must Do Better

Michael Carrick is confident United can reach the Champions League quarter-finals - provided the players improve on a below-par performance in France.

The midfielder admitted the Reds' retention and use of the ball was less than impressive, hence the absence of an away goal or even the sniff of one.

"We're pretty disappointed with the performance, it just didn't happen for us," said Carrick. "Our passing wasn't great so we didn't give ourselves the chance of creating chances in the game.

"We defended well as a unit, as we've managed to do quite a few times in Europe. The clean sheet gives us a good chance of winning the tie at home.

"We're confident we can do that but we'll have to play better than tonight. The other side of our game - our attacking and possession as a team - has got to be better."

United's hosts Olympique Marseille were themselves far from menacing, even in their own intimidating arena, but Carrick denied the notion they were there for the taking.

"It's unfair on Marseille to say this was a winnable game. Any game away from home in Europe is difficult but we didn't play anywhere near our best tonight and we know that. Hopefully we can put that right when we get them back to Old Trafford.

"It's a different game at home, our record is good there but we'll have to do better than tonight."