Carrick: We can cover for Wayne

Michael Carrick is confident Manchester United can maintain their progress towards a Champions League knock-out berth even if Wayne Rooney fails to make Wednesday’s trip to Moscow.

With two wins under their belt already, the Red Devils have no need to take any risks with their talisman, especially as Sir Alex Ferguson must plot to beat Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday.

So, if there is any doubt at all over Rooney’s recovery from a calf injury sustained on England duty in the Ukraine, he will remain in Manchester where he can be with wife Coleen, who is due to give birth to the couple’s first child.

Although Carrick accepts it would be a blow to be without his international team-mate, he does feel there is sufficient strength in depth among the Old Trafford ranks not to get too depressed.

“It is a blow,” he said.

“You want your best players fit and available as much as possible.

“But we have the squad. Everyone is here to perform when others are missing. That is the whole point and I am sure we will be fine.”

However, having observed Rooney at close quarters with both club and country this term, Carrick feels the 23-year-old has risen to the challenge of replacing the influence of departed superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Wayne has been flying this season,” said Carrick.

“His performances have been excellent and has already scored plenty of goals.

“But it has not changed him. He is just the same as he has always been.

“He is desperate to play well, not just for himself, but also the team. I have seen him play in various positions over the last few years and he adapts as well as everyone.

“There is more responsibility on his shoulders now but he has responded in a positive way. Hopefully that continues and he keeps doing it for a long time.”

Certainly Rooney has made an impact in Europe, where that opening day win over Besiktas in Istanbul put United in the Group B driving seat.

Their performance against Wolfsburg at Old Trafford a fortnight later may not have matched that standard, but it was still enough to account for the German champions. That win leaves United requiring only four more points to reach the 10 which Ferguson traditionally sets as the qualification benchmark.

Top spot and a favourable last 16 draw are the targets Carrick will be setting once the first goal is achieved, with United looking to atone for that miserable final appearance in Rome last May.

A fourth successive semi-final appearance is possible, which would be a remarkable feat, particularly for Carrick, whose £18.6million arrival from Tottenham in 2006 coincided with the upsurge in fortunes at Old Trafford that has also brought a hat-trick of Premier League titles.

“It looks like I timed it just right,” said Carrick, ignoring completely the thought he could have been the catalyst rather than the fortunate beneficiary.

“I have had three great seasons here.

“To win the league titles like we have – and then to get a fourth would be amazing. And we definitely want to do something about that Champions League defeat as well.

“It just makes me more determined than ever.”