Carrick Patient On First-team Chances

Michael Carrick is philosophical, rather than frustrated, as the midfielder waits to make his first competitive appearance as Manchester United's new skipper.

The long-serving 36-year-old midfielder was named captain following Wayne Rooney's departure after 13 years at Old Trafford.

However, Carrick's elevation has not guaranteed him any minutes on the pitch, having been an unused substitute in United's Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid, and then left out of the squad entirely for the Premier League opener against West Ham.

The midfielder watched the 4-0 win at Old Trafford from the directors' box and admitted: "We've got a great squad.

"It's a long season and there will be a lot of games. Hopefully, we can go far in the cup competitions.

"There will be a lot of games, just like last year and there is going to be a lot of rotation of the squad."

Carrick made 38 appearances in all competitions last season, having found opportunities hard to come by at the start of the campaign.

As for the captaincy, he added: "It's a big honour for me, it's very special to be in the position I am.

"It probably comes with me being here for quite some time now and being the oldest in the squad. It doesn't really change an awful lot from day-to-day.

"There's obviously more responsibility but I think that's a natural thing. You've got to try to lead in certain ways but I'm just trying to be myself.

"You can't suddenly change because you're put in a different role. You just got to be yourself and respect all the lads like I do."

Credit: Skysports.com