Carrick eyes Ukraine clash to kick-start season

Michael Carrick hopes to use England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday to ignite his season after a slow start with Manchester United.

Carrick was left on the bench for United’s draw against Sunderland at the weekend after Sir Alex Ferguson admitted it is often several months into the campaign before the midfielder finds his peak form.

The 28-year-old spoke to Ferguson about the United manager’s comments but he has no problem with the criticism and insists he is beginning to reach his optimum level of performance anyway.

“When I get a month or so under my belt I hit top form. I had a chat with the gaffer (Ferguson) and he said that is when I am at my best,” Carrick said on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t a case that I went to speak to him about it. We were just chatting. It wasn’t a meeting or anything like that. He suggested that was the case and it’s fine with me, no problem.

“All the midfielders at United are playing well and it’s just about rotating the squad at the moment. I’ve still played seven games or so. That’s nearly as much as anyone. Hopefully I’m starting to hit top form now.”

Carrick could be given a chance to stake a claim for more regular action in an England shirt over the next week as Fabio Capello’s side conclude their already-successful qualifying campaign with a double-header against Ukraine and then Belarus on Wednesday.

England’s place at next year’s World Cup finals is assured after eight successive wins and Saturday’s Ukraine clash presents Capello with an opportunity to look at one or two fringe players.

Carrick is competing with Manchester City’s Gareth Barry and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard for the holding midfield roles, but his astute passing and reading of the game offers something different to that pair.

The former Tottenham star, who has only 19 England caps, has hardly figured under Capello but he believes the European experience he has picked up with United would make him a valuable asset to his country.

“I want to play for my country and hopefully it’s an opportunity to get a bit of a chance,” he said.

“Saturday’s obviously a tough game, a tough place to go and to be involved in that would be great.

“Playing in Europe with United I’ve gained a lot of experience since I last started a game for England so that should help me a lot.

“To pull on an England shirt is not a given. There’s good competition, we’re all playing at the top level so everyone’s pushing to be involved and the results speak for themselves.

“It makes it easier for individuals to shine so, if I get the shirt, it’s up to me to try to keep it.

“It seems a long time to go to the World Cup but it’s very important when we do get together that we keep the momentum leading into next year.”