Carrick Happy To Win Ugly

Michael Carrick was delighted with Manchester United's win at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, even if it wasn't always the best advert for "the beautiful game".

Rafael and Ryan Giggs netted either side of the interval to clinch a hard-fought win that took the Reds 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

It was a battle, though, with the London side making life difficult for Sir Alex's men on a pitch that played havoc with United's fondness for fluid, passing football.

"We expected a tough game and we certainly got it, especailly in the first half," Carrick told MUTV. "The pitch was bouncy and bobbly and it's tight at the best of times here [at Loftus Road].

"It was just a case of adapting to the conditions and the context of the game, battling it out at times. I thought we did that well.

"Sometimes you have to do that. Throughout the season it's not always going to be pretty. Sometimes you have to grind out results, work hard and make the most of your opportunities.

"We were able to cope with QPR and, at times, we played some good football. At other times we defended well and played on the break. In the second half we controlled the game and created more chances.

"All in all I think we can be delighted with how the day's gone."

United opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Rafael ran onto a bouncing ball and sent a thunderous shot screaming into the top corner from 20 yards.

"A goal like that from Rafa put us in a great position," Carrick said. "I was right next to it. It was an unbelievable strike. It caught me by surprise, to be honest. Probably like everybody else!"

A second-half strike from Giggs made sure of the win, while at the other end of the pitch United kept a third successive clean sheet. At the heart of the Reds' defence was the formidable pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, a factor Carrick believes was vital in helping to secure the three points.

"You know what you're going to get [with Rio and Nemanja]. They know each other's games inside out, and with me in front you have that little triangle that we use to try and defend well and start counter-attacks from.

"It was a case today of doing the basics right and letting the front boys produce the quality. As it turned out it was Rafa who produced the quality! It could have been more in the end but we'll take what we got."