Michael Carrick is desperate to make up for lost time after missing most of Manchester United's season so far.

The former Spurs midfielder has made just three Premier League appearances this term after following up the virus he picked up in Nigeria by breaking a bone against Liverpool in September.

Carrick made his first-team return in United's 2-0 league success over former club West Ham and the England international is hoping to become a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson's team in the coming weeks.

The 27-year-old is enjoying working his fitness in training, but says there is no substitute for improving match sharpness by getting games under your belt.
Swing of things

"It is just a case of coming back into the swing of things really," he said.

"It has been a long time since I have played and a while since I've had a run of games.

"It all goes back to Nigeria really. Then I played a tiny bit of the Community Shield, 25 minutes of the first game against Newcastle, then half a game against Liverpool, so in three months I have had very little football.

"I have worked as hard as I can in training to get fit but there's nothing like playing games."

Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to win back the full support of Manchester United fans for a second time.

While the majority of fans have nothing but positive things to say about the Portugal international, some of the Red Devils faithful remain unhappy about the summer saga involving Real Madrid.
Ronaldo was quoted as saying he wanted to move to the Liga giants, although a move failed to materialise after United refused to cash in on their prized asset at any price.
Ronaldo is nearing his best on the pitch following a brace in their midweek success over West Ham and now the 23-year-old has vowed to overcome adversity for a second time during his Old Trafford career following his much-publicised spat with team-mate Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup.

"I hope it will be similar to when I came back to England after the 2006 World Cup and I can win the fans back."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is eager to emulate Ryan Giggs and cannot imagine ever wanting to leave Old Trafford.

Twenty-three-year-old Rooney is keen to stay with the Premier League and UEFA Champions League champions for as long as he is wanted and he hopes to add to his medal collection.

The former Everton forward has already won two English top-flight accolades and the European Cup, but he hopes to notch as many winners' medals and appearances as Welsh veteran Giggs.

At 34, Giggs has won 10 league titles, lifted the Champions League on two occasions and sampled four successful campaigns in the FA Cup, hitting 768 United appearances in the process.

And Rooney would welcome a career to match his team-mate's, telling MUTV: "I want to stay at this club as long as I am wanted. I want to keep playing and scoring goals.
Fantastic

"But if I am anywhere near what Ryan has achieved when I am his age, I would be really pleased.

"The games he has played and what he is won is fantastic."

Rooney is just one short of 100 goals in club football and will try to reach his century when Hull visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

"To score 100 goals in club football hopeful nice just it doesn't really bother me," he said.

"Winning is the most important thing. I will look back when I have finished my career but I am only young. I prefer to score more than 100 and keep scoring, so it is no

United boss unconcerned by delay in permanent deal

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't expect Carlos Tevez to walk away from Old Trafford because of a lack of first-team football.

Argentina international Tevez has struggled for opportunities over recent weeks as the partnership of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov begins to flourish.

But Ferguson recently revealed that he's held talks with the 24-year-old, who will see his two-year loan expire in the summer, and is eager to secure his permanent stay.

The United boss has now reiterated his confidence that Tevez - who's understood to be a target of Real Madrid - will put pen-to-paper on a contract.

"I don't think it will make a difference at all," said Ferguson when asked if a bit-part role could influence Tevez, who started United's last match against West Ham.

"It shouldn't. He has happy here. The club want him. The players and fans love him.

"Just because I have left him out for a couple of games does not mean it should be a negative part of negotiations to get him h

HIGH-flying Hull are the visitors to Old Trafford on Saturday for the first meeting in the top flight between these two teams.

The Tigers have been the shock side of the Premier League and remarkably have two more points than United, although the Reds have a game in hand.

Here is a look at the key battles that coulded vs Geovanni

The Brazilian has been Hull’s player of the season so far with four key goals. The ex-Manchester City player has been out to prove a point since leaving the Blues last season on a free transfer and has been a real bargain for Hull. Geovanni was the man who popped up with the winner in last season’s Manchester derby at Old Traffrd and will be looking to do the same this weekend in a Hull shirt.

Rio’s consistent top class form throughout this season has made him one of the key players for United in their quest to retain the Premier League title. And with 14 goals scored by Hull this season Rio is going to have to all in his best to help secure thee points for United.

Anderson vs Dean Marney

This battle in the midfield will be key as both players are in good form. Marney has been a key component of Hull’s success, driving them forward, and the former Tottenham man will be keen to score his first goal of the season.

Brazilian star Anderson was in fine form against the Hammers in midweek and will be looking for a repeat against Hull. The 20-year-old will be aiming to open up a Tigers defence that has only conceded three times on tour this season. But he must also contain Marney’s attacking forays.

Wayne Rooney  vs Michael Turner

Rooney looks set to be unleashed direct for United after being rested mid-week against West Ham. The England International, who scored 10 goals for club and country in October, is in top form and will fancy his chances against Hull at home.

However, trying to stop him will be Michael Turner, who has been in outstanding form this season at the back for Hull. The £350,000 fee fixed in 2006 is now looking like a bargain. The 24-year-old has chipped in with two goals and has been tipped for a place in the England squad. He has been the key man in the centre of Hull’s defence and will be looking to boost his international hopes with a clean sheet at Old Trafford.

Where do you think the game will be won and lost? Have your say.

UNITED star Cristiano Ronaldo claims it hopeful "logical" for him to win the European Footballer of the Year award.

Ronaldo was runner-up to AC Milan's Kaka last year but is favourite to become one better this time around after scoring 42 goals for United last season on their way to Champions League and Premier League title glory.

The Portugal winger picked up the FIFPro World Footballer of the Year award earlier this week - the first in what is expected to be a host of individual honours for the 23-year-old - and he has confident he will be lifting the Ballon d'Or later this year.

"You forced out pretty much my opinion," Ronaldo told French sports daily L'Equipe. "But it's not me who votes.

"There are several candidates, but the person who's to win is he who was the best during the whole year.

"I was very consistent, I was a Premier League winner, I won the Champions League, I was the best European goalscorer, the best goalscorer in the Champions League."

Ronaldo also lifted the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards in a spectacular season for United, and could end the year by adding the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards to his trophy haul.

SIR Alex Ferguson has offered the perfect riposte to Ramon Calderon's senility jibe - We've got Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid president has been angered along Ferguson's reference to Spanish dictator General Franco in a magazine interview in which the Scot claimed the Bernabeu giants liked to get everything their own way.

Calderon responded by claiming the Manchester United manager's ramblings were those of an old man.

"I won't waste time answering him. I admire his history but recently he's gone a bit senile," Calderon said.

However, Ferguson feels he had the last laugh on Calderon this summer when he persuaded Cristiano Ronaldo to remain with Manchester United rather than join Real.

And while he insisted there was no need to continue the war of words, Ferguson could not resist reminding Calderon of his summer achiever.

"Calderon has a few strange things to say every week," smiled the United boss.

"There's a lot of hot air bugs out of that man.

"I am not getting involved but the nub of it is he is very disappointed he did not get Ronaldo.

"I am delighted to say he has still here and I'll keep repeating that."

Man Utd VS Hull City


WES Brown will miss Manchester United’s clash with Hull after apprehending an ankle injury.

Brown should suit to face Celtic on Wednesday but his absence means Gary Neville is set as the right-back slot.

Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick should also be handed starting berths as United look for keep the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Hull will make their first change in six matches with captain Ian Ashbee suspended for the game.

Ashbee must serve a one-game ban after being booked for the fifth time this season against West Brom last weekend.

Bryan Hughes, a substitute fourfold this season, dismissed is also an option.

Record signing Anthony Gardner faces a further three weeks out after pulling a thigh muscle in a friendly against Leeds on Monday. Gardner lost his place last month after injuring his opposite thigh.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

Hull City (from): Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Hughes, Boateng, Geovanni, King, Cousin, Barmby, Garcia, Windass, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan, Ricketts, Giannakopoulos, Duke.


Man Utd league form: WWWDW

Hull league form: WWWWL

Carlos Tevez has been reassured he remains an integral cog in the United machine, despite earning his only start in October against West Ham on Wednesday.

Sir Alex admitted that Tevez began to tire in the second half of the 2-1 win over Gianfranco Zola's men, something he bring down to the forward's lack of starts in the last month.

In his United Review programme notes before the game, Sir Alex was keen to stress Tevez's importance to the team.

"Our attackers have been drawing all the attention," he said. "Wayne Rooney is having the time of his life and sounding off a fine partnership with Dimitar Berbatov, now inheriting his own after his late transfer and missing our pre-season preparation.

"Those are the names on everyone’s lips, and I'm as thrilled as anyone by their form. But my thoughts have centred more on the forward who's been the odd man out.

"I'm concocting Carlos Tevez, and the fact that I've not started him in as many games as he would like. Just looking at the big picture, Carlos remains just as important to us as the guys who have been hogging the headlines late."

Sir Alex last week had a meeting with the Argentina

MAN UTD 2 WEST HAM UTD 0
C.Ronaldo Goal 2 (14,30)


United won with the minimum of fuss against West Ham, but this was still a performance very much to get excited about.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck both goals on a night he paraded his World Player of the Year award, while Dimitar Berbatov shone and Carlos Tevez, Nani, Anderson and substitute Wayne Rooney all showed glimpses of why this is among the best collections of players Sir Alex has ever had. There were plenty of tricks, flicks, skills and thrills to provide warmth as Manchester’s winter chill made an early appearance.

Sir Alex handed Carlos Tevez his first start in a month against his old club, as Rooney dropped to the bench, while there was no place since birthday boy Edwin van der Sar – he turned 38 today. He was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak and Rafael was favored at right-back ahead of Gary Neville and Wes Brown.

United set out with the same attacking intent that has markedly changed the Reds’ goal return in the past month; the first chance came in the third minute when Nani squared the ball to Berbatov, just Hammers skipper Matthew Upson got enough on the ball to deflect the striker’s shot over the bar.

Nani went close himself two minutes after after a neat move by the Reds. Darren Fletcher’s lofted pass was nodded into the Portuguese winger’s path along Anderson, and Nani’s first-time, left-foot shot flew narrowly past the far upright. Whether it had all come a little too easy to Sir Alex’s men in the opening exchanges, a short spell followed where red passes too frequently went astray, and players were caught in possession. Just them didn't final long.