Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick feels confident of success against Barcelona in the second-leg of their Champions League semifinal.

"We looked very solid as a team and put in a very good performance defensively," he told MUTV. "In a perfect world we would like to score, but it's not to be. It's not the end of the world, a draw's not a bad result for us.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says Barcelona should be the more worried team ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League semi.

"It will be a test but I would like to think it will be more of a test for them and how they cope with us," said Carrick. "If we can get a goal or two on Wednesday, it would be a really big boost coming back to Old Trafford.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has shaken off his England setback.
Carrick said: "It's just one of those things - I ain't going to sit at home and get depressed about it.

"I can't get upset about it. I just have to get on with the job. I'd love to get into the England squad, but these matches in Europe are as big as they come, so there's no point in me getting down-hearted.

Michael Carrick is set to win a bumper new deal at Manchester United.

The Sun says Carrick, 26, was only two years into a four-year deal. But United have tied down the midfielder until 2012 and his weekly pay is set to rise from £50,000 to £70,000 a week.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick believes they're benefiting from not panicking when Arsenal were in pole position earlier this season.

He said: "When we were behind them in the league we were not looking too far ahead. We were just concentrating on getting a good run of games ourselves.

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United must prove they are a "great team" by continuing to win the Premier League year after year.

The defending champions have opened up a five-point lead over second placed Chelsea and are hoping to seal back-to-back titles for the first time since they won the league three seasons in a row from 1999-2001.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits he's a big fan of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.

Ahead of this weekend's clash, Carrick told manutd.com: "Gaz is a very good player. He's got a great left foot and it's pretty reliable, so we have to be careful when he's on the ball and not give away too many free kicks in the final third.

Michael Carrick says Manchester United's players are staying grounded after victory over Liverpool yesterday.

The Geordie midfielder told MUTV: "We're not getting carried away by any means but we're happy with our position. Three or four weeks ago we were a few points behind Arsenal and aware that we needed to get points on the board fairly quickly.

Battling for a starting role is nothing new to Owen Hargreaves,who is competing with Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Anderson and Darren Fletcher for one of two midfield positions.

"There is competition everywhere," he said. "If you want to play with the best then there is competition everywhere.

"It's good to have that - but the most important thing is that we are successful as a group.

Manchester United's Geordie midfielder Michael Carrick admits he felt sorry for Newcastle after thumping them 6-0 on Saturday.

"It is a funny time for Newcastle," he reflected. "As a Geordie myself, I don't really like to see them getting beaten like that.

"They are having a hard time but they are a good-enough club and have good enough people around them to bounce back."