Fergie wants critics lay off Carrick

12 April 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson wants Michael Carrick's critics to start concentrating on the positive aspects of the midfielder's game.

After a slow start to life at Manchester United, the £18.6million summer signing from Tottenham is finally starting to come into his own.

"People are always picking on things players can't do whereas they should actually be concentrating on the things they can," said the United boss. "Michael is one of those unassuming quiet guys, who just goes about his job and never gives the ball away."

He added: "But his range of passing can win you games. He has great potential and is a real Manchester United player."

Carrick is certainly starting to prove he can enjoy a productive central midfield partnership with Paul Scholes, a duo some claimed was too weak defensively to be effective.

The pair are set to continue in the United engine room against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday, even though Ferguson could field a weakened team in the Danish capital knowing a single point from his side's final three games will be enough to guarantee a place in the last 16.

Having sauntered through their first meeting with this week's opponents earlier in the month, few expect United to face a stiff challenge at the Parken Stadion.

However, mindful of United's recent impressive form, which has brought them seven straight wins in all competitions, Ferguson does not want to risk disrupting the flow by naming a weakened team.

"We want to win the group and we want to keep our form right, so I will play my strongest team and go for the win," he declared.

The one major doubt is Patrice Evra, who limped out of the Bolton win with an ankle injury.

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