Carrick vows to win back United place

Michael Carrick has vowed to prove he can still be an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans at Manchester United and would love to underline his claims against his former club West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Carrick fell out of favour towards the end of last season, starting just one of the final eight league games as United surrendered their Premier League trophy to Chelsea.

The England midfielder also endured a frustrating World Cup before being ruled out of the Community Shield with an ankle injury – only to stun Fabio Capello, the England manager, by taking part in United’s win over Chelsea after all.

But he has missed the opening two league games and was forced to continue his comeback in the reserves earlier this week.

Now he is determined to force his way back into Ferguson’s plans and cement a place in United’s midfield, hopefully starting with the visit of Avram Grant’s side.

“It’s obviously frustrating not playing football, but it’s a long season and I’m well aware of how strong a squad we’ve got,” said Carrick.

“It’s about being patient and trying to force my way back into the team. The manager trusts the squad he’s got and we trust each other.

“It’s important that we have the experienced players in the squad who have done it all before but that doesn’t count for an awful lot going into the new season.

“It’s going to be tough, as it is every year, but that’s the challenge and that’s why we’re all at a club like United.”

Carrick, 29, insists there is no hangover from the World Cup for himself and United team-mate Wayne Rooney.

United have already seen Chelsea make a blistering start to the new campaign but Carrick added: “I don’t think there’s any hangover from the World Cup.

“There are England players scattered all over the Premier League and although it was disappointing, it’s in the past now.

“I needed the game on Tuesday. I only had the Community Shield where I played about 80 minutes so I needed a run out.

“It was a good opportunity to build up my match fitness and there were a few other lads who needed a run out as well so we had a pretty strong team out in the end.

“Obviously, I came back for pre-season late after the World Cup and it was about getting out and building up my fitness.”

Meanwhile West Ham’s Mark Noble is relishing the ‘intensity’ of his side’s trip to Old Trafford as the east London outfit look to cause an upset.

The midfielder, along with Robert Green and Luis Boa Morte, is one of three survivors from the starting line-up that went to United back in May 2007 and came away with a 1-0 victory.

“I love playing at Old Trafford and against those sorts of teams,” said Noble. “There is such intensity. Personally I love it. You are playing against one of the best teams in the world.

“The fixtures haven’t been kind to us but we are up for it and you have got to beat the teams in front of you. That is how you have to look at it.

“I am looking forward to it. I am going to try and rest a bit as to play two games back to back this early on the season is quite tough on players’ bodies.”

In Thomas Hitzlsperger’s continued absence, Noble will again line up alongside Scott Parker and believes the midfield partnership is getting stronger.

“Scott and I have played in central midfield in the last couple of games and I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said.

“We bounce off each other. It’s like being telepathic and it’s great to have that understanding.”