Carrick Nears Return

Manchester United manager David Moyes has confirmed midfielder Michael Carrick is edging closer to a return to first-team action.

Carrick has been sidelined since late November with an Achilles injury, however the boss confirmed on Friday that the England international had begun to embark on some light training.

“Michael Carrick is getting better and has started some light work back on the grass,” Moyes told journalists at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I would still expect it’ll be around another two weeks, give or take a few days either side of that.

“We’re trying to hope [for Christmas], but he’s not joined in any football yet,” the Scot added. “I think with the injury he’s got, it’s something he’ll not be able to play game after game after game. It’s just something we have to take care of.”

The manager then went on to express his disappointment over losing Carrick for such a long period and spoke of the no.16’s integral role in the team. However, Moyes also believes United’s squad is more than able to cope with the midfielder's absence.

"Obviously Michael is a big influence as far as what we’ve got in central midfield, so to lose him was a big blow.

“However, there is a big enough squad to cope with it and, over the years, everybody here has played games,” Moyes continued. “One thing that I said when I came in was I’ll be giving everybody an opportunity to show what they can do. The players have got a new manager and can show me what they are capable of.

“They are winners, who are used to winning, so I can only tell you what I see. They are committed and trying to make it happen.”