Carrick: A Good Point

Michael Carrick felt it was very much a point gained for Manchester United after the 174th local derby with rivals City ended in a goalless draw.

The Reds defended magnificently to keep the Blues from hitting the back of the net, despite going down to ten men after Marouane Fellaini was sent off after a clash with Sergio Aguero with four minutes of normal time and a further six of injury time still to go. The squad came together in those tense closing stages and secured what Carrick feels could prove to be an important result.

“We defended well and got stuck in,” said United's derby captain, in a post-match interview with MUTV. “In the end a point is a point so when you look at the bigger picture of the table it could count for an awful lot.

"It’s a good point and it’s a point gained on Liverpool. There was a lot going into this game including the rivalry. It was make or break for us and for City.

“We’ve got some tough games to play and we’re in a better position now than we were at the start of the night. We can take the positives from it.”

The last minute of the first half presented a huge goalscoring chance for the Reds as his fellow midfielder Ander Herrera headed just wide but such opportunities became harder to create in the second half, as Carrick acknowledged.

“As the game went on it proved more difficult to get forward really,” he said. “In the end you’ve got to adapt to the game and we had a couple of chances as did City.”

United have now equalled a club record of 24 league games unbeaten in the same season and the midfielder congratulated his colleagues for the achievement.

“Credit to the boys,” he said. “It’s never easy when you’ve got injuries - especially to key players. Everyone’s done a terrific job and shown how important the squad is.”

In the build-up to the derby, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described Carrick as one of the best holding midfielders he’s ever seen in his life. The 35-year-old appreciated the comment and the pair were seen talking to each other after the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” said Carrick. “He obviously was a world-class player and he’s gone on to do some amazing things as a manager and sadly against us a couple of times [the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011] but it was nice to speak to him.”

Next, United face Swansea City at Old Trafford this Sunday with kick-off at midday and Carrick believes the team will be ready for the fixture.

“It’s not ideal,” he admitted, referring to the early start. “We’ll have to be ready for Sunday. It’s what we do and it’s what we’re here for. It [the kick-off time] is no excuse.”