Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has spoken of the changes manager Louis van Gaal has brought to the club.

Carrick's season has been bookended by injury setbacks and, after having to wait for a chance to impress the United manager at the start of the season, he is thankful for the faith that has been shown in him since.

"Well, we had a bad start [to our relationship] really," Carrick told Sky Sports. "On his first day, I went for an operation and was out for three months at the start of the season. Since then, he's been terrific for me; he's supported me and given me a lot of responsibility. As the season has gone on, I think I've shown that on the pitch; I've been happy with the way I've played.

"He's a lot more measured and a lot more calculated with the positions he wants me to take up on and off the ball, and also in terms of distribution. If it's five yards out, he'll shout to let you know. It can change game to game - during the Liverpool match, for example, I was pretty much playing as an extra centre-back because of their system. Things changed for that one game, so he adapts and it's good for me. I'm learning all the time."

The Geordie added: "The manager has certainly got his own philosophy and his own style of play. We can see that now; there's a clear identity when we play - it's his way. With possession and the measured way we work our way up the pitch, it's a fine balance and you need an end product. That's what we're working on now."