Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Carrick unlikely to feature

16 Sep 2008 - 12:29:58

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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick seems certain to miss the Champions League encounter with Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday with the ankle injury he picked up in the weekend defeat at Liverpool.

The former West Ham United and Tottenham star missed training on Tuesday morning, as did recent signing Dimitar Berbatov.

Cristiano Ronaldo would appear to be a certainty to start the game on the substitute's bench after making a quicker than anticipated recovery from the ankle operation he endured in the summer.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville sees no reason why United can not clinch a second successive Champions League crown this term.

It is less than four months since Sir Alex Ferguson's side beat Chelsea in last season's Final, but Neville is relishing the start of another European adventure.

He told United's official website: "There was a great determination and edge to the squad last season which helped us win it.

"We had to play to our absolute maximum and, if we do that again and get that little bit of luck, then there's no doubt we can do it again.

"But it's important to remember that we won it by a very small margin. We didn't run away with it. We therefore have to make sure we rise to the occasion again.

"When you've won it you're at the top of the mountain.

"It's hard work getting there in the first place, but the important thing to remember is not to breathe a huge sigh of relief and let yourself drop down. We have to make sure complacency doesn't set in."