Source: Daily_Mail
Michael Carrick desperate for Manchester United to win FA Cup
[LNB]Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says it hurts that he does not possess a FA Cup winners' medal - something he is determined to put right this season.[LNB]United have won plenty of trophies since Carrick arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2006 but their previous triumph in the FA Cup came in 2004.[LNB]Carrick was part of the team beaten in the final four years ago by Chelsea and the 29-year-old is eager to get his hands on the only club honour still to evade him.[LNB] On the ball: Carrick in action for United at Chelsea last week[LNB]'There is a good chunk of us (in the United squad) who haven't won the FA Cup, so we are desperate to progress,' said Carrick.[LNB]'I was fortunate enough to play in a final at Wembley when I played against Chelsea in 2007 but we lost so my memories are not too fond.[LNB]'It was hard to take losing that final. I have been lucky enough to win other trophies and I am very proud of them but missing out on this one hurts.[LNB]'I think that goes for a lot of our squad. That's why we are so keen to get to Wembley and win this time. A lot of us are missing that medal and we want one.'[LNB]United are in quarter-final action on Saturday when they host Arsenal, who were dumped out of the Champions League earlier this week at the hands of Barcelona.[LNB]The Gunners are United's closest challengers at the top of the Barclays Premier League and Carrick is expecting a pulsating cup tie between the two sides.[LNB]'Arsenal are obviously a very talented midfield. They showed against Barcelona in the first leg how good they can be,' Carrick said.[LNB] Dejection: Carrick after the 2007 FA Cup final defeat against Chelsea[LNB]'They are very skilful and dangerous and play their way. They don't change it for anyone. We have always had good games against them and pretty close games.[LNB]'They are usually good footballing games and I am sure it can be one the fans will savour.[LNB]'We always have great respect for them because we are well aware that, when they are on their game, if you are not switched on they are very capable of beating the very best.[LNB]'It is going to be quite a show-down. These are the huge games you want to play in.'[LNB]United's local rivals Manchester City are also competing for a place in the last four this weekend when they take on npower Championship outfit Reading at Eastlands on Sunday.[LNB]There is already talk about the prospect of a derby FA Cup final, but Carrick insists United, who are looking to bounce back from last weekend's 3-1 league defeat to Liverpool, are focusing on one game at a time.[LNB]'I can understand the fans getting excited about the possibility but we haven't even thought about the chances of an all Manchester final game at Wembley yet,' Carrick said.[LNB]'We can't look beyond this one on Saturday yet because it is so huge. We have been so busy leading up to this one that even Arsenal hadn't been mentioned prior to Liverpool.[LNB]'It really is a game-by-game time of the season and that is the only way you can tackle a run-in.'[LNB] Fabregas out of United cup clash as Wenger eyes Szczesny replacementFergie ends silence to salute Arsenal as Man United's main title challengers[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Michael Carrick Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Barcelona
