Carrick: Never write-off Reds

Michael Carrick insists it would be a mistake to write-off Manchester United – despite their current lack of goals.

United head into tonight's Carling Cup quarter–final with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford having uncharacteristically scored just 15 times in their last 10 games.

It took them only three matches to amass the same number during their early season purple patch.

Seven of their last 15 have come in two meetings with Romanian minnows Otelul Galati, plus a trip to Aldershot in the previous round of the cup.

Following Saturday's draw with Newcastle there has been fresh focus placed on a midfield short on numbers and, according to a sizeable body of fans, quality. But Carrick feels it is too early to make any bold assertions about how United's season is going to unfold.

"We have been here before. We have had bad results and bad runs, a lot worse than the one we are on at the minute. Experience tells us to be patient. People can write us off if they want but hopefully we will be there at the end of the season."

With Anderson and Tom Cleverley on the long–term injured list, Sir Alex Ferguson is considering handing midfielder Paul Pogba his full debut tonight.