Carrick: Time To Bounce Back

Manchester United veteran Michael Carrick has stated the players are “looking forward” to bouncing back from defeat at Chelsea when Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The Reds suffered a hugely disappointing 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday and now have an immediate opportunity to restore a lot of positivity around the club, with Pep Guardiola’s neighbouring Blues next up in the fourth round of the EFL Cup at Old Trafford.

“This is obviously a chance to bounce back,” Carrick explains in an interview with MUTV that will air on Wednesday night. “It was a tough defeat for everyone to take and we are aware of what that brings. To have a game so big so quickly changes the focus and it gives us a chance to bounce back. It is a tough game. I know they have had a tough run themselves, but the quality they have got speaks for itself and we are well aware of what the game is going to bring. We’re looking forward to it.”

City are incidentally without a victory of their own in five matches across all competitions and the Blues require a positive result at Old Trafford to halt what has become an alarming run of form. Carrick does not believe either side is under added pressure to win on Wednesday, however.

“There is pressure regardless of whatever run you’re on going into a game like this,” he says. “There is a pressure to perform and to get the result. That is just the nature of the game and that’s what we are used to. It is no different. Whenever we play, whether it is City, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, there is pressure on the game and that is what we have to deal with. I don’t really think about that.”

Wednesday’s match conjures memories of the 2010 League Cup semi-final between United and City, which Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds won 4-3 on aggregate following a dramatic 3-1 second leg win at Old Trafford. Carrick scored in that match and understandably has fond memories of the lively occasion.

“Yeah it was a good game and I remember the atmosphere was unbelievable,” the 35-year-old recalls. “I managed to score, which was nice, but in general as a night, obviously scoring late on like we did, it is always the best way to win, regardless of who you are playing against. It was brilliant. There was a lot of pressure on that game as always. It was toing and froing a bit, I remember Carlos got one back for them and we managed to get one back late on so it was a good night.”