Carrick remains confident despite Everton setback

Following the 3-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday, Michael Carrick isn’t getting too downhearted. The midfielder admits the result was shocking, but believes it was just a blip and United can still retain the title.

The defeat shouldn’t really have come as a huge surprise. Everton have found their form at just the right (or wrong depending on who you support) stage of the season. David Moyes’ men headed into the game on the back of impressive results against Portuguese side Sporting and league leaders Chelsea.

And while Manchester United have been in impressive form in the league since the turn of the year, their make shift back four has shown to be an Achilles heal on numerous occasions against teams that don’t just sit back and play for a draw. Whenever teams attack United they’ve looked vulnerable without the assured class of Rio Ferdinand and the all action style of Nemanja Vidic.

Nevertheless, 3 points were lost in the race for the title and Chelsea capitalized by beating Wolves at Molineux, but Carrick insists the title race is far from over, and rightly so. Both teams will drop points in the run in, that much is inevitable, and with Chelsea still to visit Old Trafford in April, he has every reason to be upbeat despite the setback.

Victories against Manchester City at Old Trafford and AC Milan in the San Siro, as well as the demolition of Portsmouth and the comprehensive sweeping aside of Arsenal at The Emirates stadium give Carrick the belief that United will respond to the defeat in true United fashion, by bouncing back with a succession of victories to keep the pressure of Chelsea at the top.

“We have had some massive games in the last month and played really well over that period of time,” Carrick told Sky Sports.

“That is why Saturday was such a shock. I suppose we have to look at it as a one-off. We are certainly not getting too down about things.

“We have to bounce back but the manner of our performances over the past few weeks leads us to believe we can do it again.”

Carrick will have the chance to take on his former club West Ham in United’s next game. He acknowledges the important part West Ham played in his career as a professional footballer, but will be keeping his emotions in check when they take to the field at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

“West Ham gave me my chance,” he said. “They took me away from home, taught me a lot of things and guided me through.

“They gave me a chance in the first team, so I have a lot to thank them for. I still have a lot of friends there who I like to see when I go back.

“But, obviously, when we kick off it is business as usual and I am desperate to get the win.”

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