Carrick keen to impress Ferguson

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has underlined the importance of impressing coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

Often playing without the eye-catching flicks and tricks of his fellow Old Trafford team-mates, the 26-time England international has racked up nearly 300 appearances for United since moving from Tottenham in 2006 – becoming an integral part of the Scot’s dynamic midfield.

When asked if he would prefer a more prominent profile in the game, Carrick told the Times of India that he was only interested in impressing Ferguson: “No, I just go about my business. I’m a footballer. I’m not into PR and things like that.

“I’m just about playing football. If the manager at United puts me in the team I’m obviously doing something right.

“He is the main man to please. I’ve been there seven years now and played an awful lot of games.”

With several exciting young talents in the United first-team squad – the likes of Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley – Carrick is aware that his 14 years as a professional stand him in good stead to hand down advice to his less experienced team-mates.

However, the 31-year-old is not thinking about being replaced just yet, instead hoping for further success with the team in the near future.

“I think experience helps no end. It’s a throwaway comment sometimes but compared to what I was seven years ago, I’m totally different. I know how to play big games and cope with certain things,” Carrick said.

“There is that window before your body slows down. There is the peak people talk about. Hopefully that’s later for me. I’m always hoping there are better things around the corner.”

Despite the impressive array of youthful talent at the club, it is 29-year-old signing Robin van Persie who has garnered most plaudits so far this season, with seven goals in his first nine appearances for United, including a match-winning hat-trick against Southampton in a 3-2 victory.

Carrick hailed the impact of the Netherlands international, and moved to allay fellow striker Welbeck’s fears of reduced match action.

“(Van Persie has) been amazing. World-class players have got a presence and Robin has it. His hat-trick at Southampton was what we really needed because we were in a difficult position,” he said.

“This is a better start than he was expecting and he’ll try to maintain it. I hope Robin will score more hat-tricks this season.

“I am a massive fan of Danny. People were looking at him when we signed Robin van Persie saying, ‘Where is his position, where is he going to fit in?’, but he showed he is still a major part of it.”