Carrick: Reds Must Regroup After Saints Loss

Michael Carrick says Manchester United must regroup and start again after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton, which brought a halt to the Reds’ 11-match unbeaten run.

Dusan Tadic scored the only goal at Old Trafford to move the Saints up to third in the Barclays Premier League and subsequently nudged Louis van Gaal's men down to fourth. Given the reshuffle in the table, Carrick was clearly frustrated after the final whistle.

"It was a big disappointment," Michael told MUTV. "It was a blow to lose that game I think in the way it panned out. Not that we created a load of chances, but at the same time there was nothing in the game for them and we looked comfortable.

"We looked the one team that was looking to score a goal. To concede like we did - out of nowhere pretty much - and to lose the game was hugely disappointing. With where they are in the league, with them being in the same situation as us - wanting to push on and be closer to the top - it was a big day for us and we have let one slip."

Carrick accepts Southampton are rivals for the Champions League qualification places but is more interested in United climbing the table. "They have got to be right in there, they are now so we have to give them credit and respect them for where they are now.

"For us, it is just about looking at ourselves and getting back to some sort of run and some sort of form that breeds momentum again, so that we are looking upwards and looking ahead again. You don’t want to be battling for third or fourth place, we want to be up there, right at the top and that is the challenge that we have got to set ourselves.

"You have to start again. I think regardless of the result, you have to start again from week to week. It is not going to knock us too much because we will learn from the mistakes. We are certainly disappointed but we will look to bounce back next week.”