Carrick calls for calm after flying start to Man Utd reign

MANCHESTER:

Michael Carrick has warned his Manchester United players not to get carried away by their impressive wins against Manchester City and Arsenal ahead of their match against Fulham on Sunday.

Carrick has made a flying start to his spell as interim manager with a 2-0 victory against City followed by a thrilling 3-2 win at Premier League leaders Arsenal.

After those surprise results against the Premier League's current top two, United will be favoured to see off seventh-placed Fulham at Old Trafford this weekend.

A third successive United victory would equal Ruben Amorim's best league run in a turbulent reign that ended with the sack earlier this month, giving Carrick the opportunity to return to Old Trafford until the end of the season.

"The feeling around the group, around the squad and the results that we have had, the performances and going into the next game, I don't think the past is too relevant in that respect," Carrick said of his strong start.

"We understand it and what has worked before and what hasn't, but really I think the boys are in a good place going into the game.

"All of a sudden it is a different game, it's Fulham and just because we are at home taking anything for granted is bang out of order, really."

Carrick said fourth-placed United are monitoring the transfer market ahead of Monday's deadline after wing-back Patrick Dorgu limped off with a hamstring issue at Arsenal.

The in-form 21-year-old will be "out for a period of time", according to Carrick after reports said his absence could last 10 weeks.

"Never say never, of course, because a lot can happen and situations can be thrown up. Sometimes it's in our control, sometimes it's maybe something that's out of our control that we got to deal with," Carrick said.

"We're calm, I'm pretty calm. I think we've shown what we're capable of doing as a team and we'll just see what the next few days bring."

 

Injured Dorgu

Patrick Dorgu, who was injured after scoring Manchester United's second goal in last weekend's 3-2 Premier League win at Arsenal, may be sidelined for a few weeks or more, United manager Michael Carrick said on Friday.

Media reports said the 21-year-old picked up a hamstring injury that forced him off the field in the 81st minute, half an hour after his left-footed volley put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Denmark international Dorgu, who joined United in the summer, also scored in the win over Manchester City earlier this month.

"Pat is going to be out for a period of time. We're still working through how long that's going to be," Carrick told reporters.

"He's had such a good couple of weeks and we weren't sure if it was cramp or something more serious, but it looks more serious. Whether it's a few weeks or more, we're going to have to wait and see. Unfortunately, it's something you have to work through in football."

Fourth-placed United face Fulham on Sunday as they look to win their third straight match since Carrick took over.