Carrick Frustrated After Stalemate At Cambridge

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick was frustrated following Friday evening's stalemate at Cambridge United - but pleased to still be in the FA Cup.

The Reds controlled the game and had a number of opportunities to score and become the first team to go through to the fifth round, but the hosts defended resiliently to hold on for a replay at Old Trafford.

Carrick, who captained the side after Wayne Rooney was rested from the 18-man squad, felt United could and should have won the game.

“We came here to win and get into the next round, but fair play to Cambridge, they made it difficult for us,” he said. “The first half was very scrappy, it was tough. We weren’t at our best which doesn’t help, but I thought in the second half we were a lot better and we had some chances.

“On another day we could have won. It's frustrating, as we want to be through, but at the same time we're still in the FA Cup - we have the replay.”

After being quizzed as to why United had failed to break down a solid League Two side, Carrick replied: "Of course you can ask all sorts of questions (as to why we didn’t win), but it's the FA Cup. We've seen things happen in this competition before, many times.

"They made it difficult for us and it wasn’t easy," he continued. "They defended the box really well and had a lot of numbers in there and that made it difficult for us."

While praising the opposition, the experienced Reds midfielder admitted United must be more clinical in the replay.

“Give credit to Cambridge, they defended really well. We have to be better and when we do create chances we have to take them.”