Carrick Hails Control

Michael Carrick says Manchester United found the balance between controlling possession and making it count in front of goal as the Reds confidently beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at The Hawthorns.

David Moyes' team have often started games well this season, dictating the play without taking full advantage by creating and converting chances. That wasn’t the case on Saturday against Pepe Mel’s admittedly struggling Baggies side, but regardless of the opposition’s perilous league placing, Carrick was pleased with the display.

“It was an important day for us, we had to bounce back,” Carrick told ManUtd.com. “It feels like such a long time since the last game [against Olympiacos] before the international matches, so we had to perform and really show that we are a good team.

“I thought we scored at crucial times in the game to really take control of it. It’s been frustrating this season because, at times, performance-wise we have controlled matches and haven’t come away with the results we wanted. You strive for the performances and want the results to follow, today it did.

"We looked really dangerous going forward, we had really good penetration through the pitch and caused them problems all afternoon. We looked exciting going forward.”

Phil Jones gave United a first-half lead with a powerful header from Robin van Persie’s inswinging free-kick. Then, after the break, the game turned a tad physical as West Brom attempted to battle their way back into the contest. United weathered the storm and Wayne Rooney doubled the lead shortly after the hour, heading home Rafael’s cross.

“That second goal was important,” added Carrick. “It was always going to be feisty here with both teams needing results; we wouldn’t expect to come here and cruise through the game. They’re trying to get three points just as much as we are. The pitch was difficult to play on – it was bouncy and a bit lively. There was a spell in the game where it got quite scrappy and we just had to weather that. Wayne got his goal at a good time and that killed the game off.”

Of course, substitute Danny Welbeck scored late on to complete a bright spring afternoon’s work for United, with a clean sheet into the bargain.

“It’s a tough place to come, so to win like we have is a big positive,” concluded Carrick. “We looked dangerous going forward and we defended well. All in all, we couldn’t have asked for much more from our performance.”