Source: Team_Talk
Carrick ready for Spurs test
Manchester United's Michael Carrick fears former club Tottenham may have their best chance yet of ending their Old Trafford jinx on Saturday.[LNB] But the England international is confident United can rise to the challenge to maintain their proud home record against the Londoners in the Premier League.[LNB]Spurs have not won at United's ground in the competition since its inception in 1992 but now boast one of their best sides for years.[LNB]Having finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League last term, Spurs are again riding high in fifth and boast two of the country's most in-form players in Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart.[LNB]United, while being two points better off, have not been at their most clinical this term and Harry Redknapp's men may sense an opportunity.[LNB]Carrick, who moved from White Hart Lane in an £18.6million deal four years ago, told the club's website, www.manutd.com: "Records like that won't affect the game.[LNB]"If we've had a bad time somewhere, we go into it as a fresh game. It's all new.[LNB]"We need to be on our guard because it's a big test. They're playing well and have had some great results.[LNB]"They've got such a strong squad that it's going to be a challenge, but we rise to challenges. Hopefully we do that again."[LNB]After an indifferent spell, United have won their last three matches in all competitions and Carrick feels it is important now to build momentum.[LNB]The 29-year-old said: "We need to focus on putting a good run together.[LNB]"But you can't look too far ahead and start planning how your run will pan out.[LNB]"We've got a huge game against Spurs and we're focused on that first, but around the camp the atmosphere is bubbly and the lads are happy."[LNB]Edwin van der Sar will take his place in goal a day after celebrating his 40th birthday.[LNB]The veteran former Holland international - with errors such as his high-profile gaffe against West Brom a fortnight ago still a rarity - remains a firm fixture in the United side.[LNB]United were linked with Liverpool's Jose Reina as a potential replacement earlier this week but manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels Van der Sar is still going strong.[LNB]"Absolutely brilliant, incredible," Ferguson said. "He has gone on because he has prepared his whole life to being a top player.[LNB]"His preparation, training, standard of life - everything has been geared to staying in the game as long as he has.[LNB]"We haven't spoken about it [the future] but I think he is enjoying football at the moment and let him continue."
