Carrick: Quick-fire Goals Cost Us

Michael Carrick was frustrated and disappointed by the way Manchester United conceded three goals in six minutes during Sunday’s Barclays Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

Dele Alli opened the scoring on 70 minutes at White Hart Lane and Toby Alderweireld doubled the advantage, ahead of Erik Lamela wrapping up a 3-0 win for Spurs with his 76th-minute strike.

The result at White Hart Lane was a little harsh on Louis van Gaal’s men, who had competed ably and almost took the lead on 62 minutes when Anthony Martial dribbled past three defenders to force a good save out of Hugo Lloris from close range.

Carrick believes it could have been different had the Frenchman taken his chance, but the vice-captain admits his team-mates were ultimately beaten by Tottenham’s rapid-fire goals.

Speaking to MUTV at White Hart Lane, the stand-in captain said: “I thought we did alright for an hour or so, but the first goal was a bad one to concede because we could have stopped that and we could have prevented that. The second one came so quickly after that and put us right on the back foot. The third one meant it was game over because there was so little time left.

“I am not even sure how long there was left to play but they scored three goals and they obviously had their tails up after that. It was too late, the game was done. Up until then I thought we did alright and we were well in the game. They are a dangerous team and they have got threats across the front line and we had to defend well at times.

“Anthony had a decent chance and when you come away from home in a game like that, you need to take the chances you get. Unfortunately we didn’t do that today and we have paid the price.

“It is not the weekend we wanted at all but there are a few weekends left yet, so things can happen and we have seen that in all sorts of different ways. We just need to focus on ourselves now, take what we can from the rest of the season and see where it takes us.”

United’s attention must now turn to the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final replay against West Ham at Upton Park. Carrick has implored the Reds to regroup with a Wembley semi-final and the chance to win silverware on offer to the winner of Wednesday's do-or-die encounter.

“We are looking forward to Wednesday now and that has got to be the focus,” Michael told MUTV. “We have got to take what we can from today and move on to a massive game.

"We all know what that means and it is make or break on the night. It is one we can look forward to and hopefully we can come away with the win and get into the next round.”