Source: Telegraph
Manchester United's Michael Carrick turns attention to Premier League runin
The European champions can become the first club to retain the European Cup in the modern era by defeating Pep Guardiola's team in Rome on May 27. [LNB]But with three weeks to go before the trip to the Italian capital, Carrick admits that domestic issues are now the sole priority. [LNB] Related ArticlesUefa offer Fletcher hopeScholes sympathy for FletcherFerguson's trust in youth pays offRonaldo: United can make historyGreat Ronaldo goalsAdebayor urges Wenger to spendSir Alex Ferguson's men can clinch the league title by claiming seven points from their remaining four games and confirmation of the championship could come within the next 10 days with United due to face Manchester City, Wigan and Arsenal. [LNB]And England midfielder Carrick admits that, despite the glamour of tackling Barca in Rome, Premier League matters come first. [LNB]Carrick said: "We're well aware there's a bit of league business to sort out before we go to Rome and we've got some big games coming up. [LNB]"When the big games come round, you want to perform to your best and this is the time when it counts in terms of trophies. Hopefully we will continue to play like we did against Arsenal. [LNB]"What we achieved last season, winning the league and Champions League, will give us a lot of confidence ahead of this year's finale. [LNB]"Winning the Champions League was incredible and to repeat it would be amazing. Doing that means we would create history which is something this club does well. Hopefully we can be part of that." [LNB]Despite being the reigning European champions, United are listed as underdogs by the bookmakers, who make Barcelona slight favourites to win the European Cup. [LNB]But Cristiano Ronaldo, who took his season tally to 25 goals in the 3-1 semi-final win at Arsenal, insists that United are still the team to beat. [LNB]He said: "We are in the final of the Champions League, we are top of the Premier League, and we have already won the Club World Cup and the Carling Cup. [LNB]"We are the best club at the moment and I'm really happy here. I am really happy, the lads are really happy and now we will try to win the Champions League again."[LNB]
