Source: Team_Talk
Carrick: Midfield must step up
Michael Carrick believes Manchester United's players need to take collective responsibility for trying to replace Paul Scholes.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson has already spoken of the difficulties involved in finding an alternative to a player he regards as one of the best he has ever worked with.[LNB]The United boss has played down the potential for signing Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder as a replacement, while Tottenham's Luka Modric and Arsenal's Samir Nasri appear bound for elsewhere.[LNB]Carrick accepts even if Ferguson is successful in landing a target, it would be impossible to carry out the playmaking role completely.[LNB]And the England midfielder feels the best way of overcoming Scholes' departure is for everyone to do their bit.[LNB]"Losing a player like Paul is a loss - he brings so much to the team," said Carrick in an exclusive web chat on United's official website.[LNB]"He was a world-class player, so you have to compensate in other ways.[LNB]"We have done that in the past - we lost Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago and people didn't think we'd get over it.[LNB]"But different players step up - maybe it is not one player but we share the responsibility."[LNB]It has certainly been a summer of change at Old Trafford.[LNB]Along with Scholes, Edwin van der Sar has followed Gary Neville into retirement. Owen Hargreaves has been released while Wes Brown and John O'Shea have gone to Sunderland.[LNB]All six are in their 30s, triggering a massive regeneration that leaves Carrick one of the elder statesmen, with five years' service under his belt.[LNB]Still, it has done nothing to shake the 29-year-old's confidence that United can become the first club to win a 20th title next May.[LNB]"We are always confident, especially after winning the league," he said.[LNB]"The manager always strengthens when he feels it is right and in positions he feels need strengthening.[LNB]"We trust him totally with that and we believe we have a chance this season."
