Time to move on

Barca beat us, but it’s up to us to improve, says United midfielder
MICHAEL Carrick refuses to beat himself up over Manchester United’s Champions League defeat by Barcelona last May.

The Red Devils begin another quest to conquer club football’s number one competition tomorrow when they tackle legendary Portuguese outfit Benfica at the Stadium of Light.

Their aim is clear: finding a way to match the Catalans, who completely outclassed United as they romped to victory at Wembley.

It is a subject that has vexed many United fans throughout the summer. But Carrick is not sure such introspection is of any great value.

“The Champions League final doesn’t still hurt,” said the 30–year–old.

“It was disappointing because we lost the final, but it wasn’t a massive failure.

“You have to accept they were good. It is up to us to be better.”

The quest looks a lot more positive than it did at the start of summer thanks to the infusion of so many electrifying young talents into Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

It has helped contribute to Carrick, among others, being reduced to a peripheral role during United’s rocket–propelled start to the campaign.

The most notable team–mate of Carrick’s who has yet to have any significant involvement is last season’s Golden Boot winner, Dimitar Berbatov.