Reds Can Rally Against Chelsea

Michael Carrick is urging his Manchester United team-mates to dust themselves down, regroup and come out fighting during Monday’s Barclays Premier League blockbuster against Chelsea.

The Reds suffered a disheartening 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Boxing Day, a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. Attention now turns to the next test as the reigning champions head to Old Trafford and Carrick is optimistic the Reds’ form can turn around against the side now managed by Guus Hiddink.

Speaking to MUTV after the final whistle at the Britannia Stadium, the 34-year-old said: “Football can change quickly. At the moment it is tough to take and it is going to hurt for a couple of days.

"So we have to get our heads right for Monday. It can turn around quickly and if we get a good win then the feeling comes back. Hopefully we will be able to kick on from that.”

Louis van Gaal echoed a similar message during his own post-match interview with MUTV, although he admitted he is concerned about the short gap between the Stoke and Chelsea fixtures.

"You can say we can quickly get over this defeat by playing against Chelsea but in the time in between, you have to recover because the players have given everything,” said the United boss.

"Then you have to manage that you are very confident to start the Chelsea game, and that you dare to play football – our football! It is very difficult to do that in just two days but we shall try."