Carrick's Best Campaign

Michael Carrick is having his best season since joining Manchester United, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 31-year-old midfielder has been in majestic form and showed his value to the team in a cameo performance against his former club West Ham in midweek.

With the next fixture against another of his old sides, the 2006 signing from Tottenham will aim to continue to impress and keep the Reds flying high at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.

"I think he's been magnificent," enthused Sir Alex. "It's his best-ever season at the club and he's commanding that position. He's doing absolutely brilliantly.

"Even when he came on against West Ham, he helped ease us through the last 20 minutes. Good players do that. He came on and settled us down."

Incredibly, in all Carrick's time at the club, only one team has gained more points from a season than United - Chelsea, in 2010, when they pipped the Reds to the title by a point. Current champions Manchester City were, of course, only crowned on goal difference.