Carrick: Win Was Fully Deserved

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United's narrow 1-0 Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night was "fully deserved".

The Reds dominated the game at Old Trafford but were heading for a fourth consecutive goalless draw in all competitions, until Wayne Rooney popped up with a vital late header to take his side to the top of Group B.

Carrick, who played the full 90 minutes in midfield, told MUTV: "It was important that we won the game tonight, for a number of reasons – the main one was to put us in a good position in the group.

"When teams come and put numbers behind the ball, it’s difficult. We were prepared for a long night and we had to keep believing that we would get the chance."

Rooney's 79th-minute winner took him alongside Denis Law as United's second-highest scorer with 237 goals and it was greeted with a huge roar around Old Trafford – of relief as much as celebration.

Carrick added: "It was a big goal for the players, for the fans, for everyone. We kept trying to do the right things and kept holding onto the ball. It was just a matter of time."

Jesse Lingard was named Man of the Match after capping a lively display with the cross for Rooney's decisive goal. A minute earlier, David De Gea's vital save and Chris Smalling's superb goalline clearance had prevented substitute Seydou Doumbia giving CSKA the lead.

Carrick said: "I thought Jesse was fantastic. Not everything came off, but the important one did and he set the goal up.

"David has made a great save again for us. It was a huge spell that could have turned the game on its head quite easily."

Netherlands international Daley Blind never lost faith that United would make the breakthrough, saying: "We created a lot of chances and I believed in us until the end. For me, there was no doubt that we were going to win this game."

United's next Champions League game is against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on 25 November and Blind added: "I’m looking forward to the next game and we have to get the win again."