Michael Carrick is aiming to make his first Manchester United appearance of the season in the coming weeks after recovering from injury.
The 33-year-old England international, who has been at Old Trafford for eight years, suffered ankle ligament damage during United’s pre-season training.
Carrick only recently returned to the first-team fold, but is yet to make a return to action, and explained his frustration at not being able to contribute to the team during the opening weeks of a tough campaign.
“It’s your worst nightmare as a footballer to be out for so long and this is the longest I have ever been out,” he told the club’s official site.
“I have never really had to deal with big injuries before, so this was something new for me.”
Carrick’s injury was sustained on Louis van Gaal’s first day at the helm at Old Trafford, and the veteran midfielder is aware that the timing couldn’t have been worse.
After arriving at United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006, Carrick, a Newcastle-born West Ham academy graduate, has gone on to make more than 350 appearances at the heart of the Reds’ midfield.
But he now faces a fight to solidify his first-team spot, with first-choice duo Ander Herrera and Daley Blind already complimented by the likes of Marouane Fellaini and fellow United stalwart Darren Fletcher.
Despite this adversity, Carrick insists he is determined to stamp his authority on the team ahead of vital fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City.
“The timing of the new manager coming in and me getting injured on that first day wasn’t ideal, but that is something that I have got over,” he said.
“I am back training now and looking forward to getting amongst the boys again, and becoming a footballer again!”
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