Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Michael Carrick will make or break their season.

It is not Wayne Rooney, Nani or even Paul Scholes that Fergie sees as the man to guide United back to the top.

He explained: "I think Michael Carrick is the key to it. He did really well in the second half of last season and I think he's going to be the key man.

"Scholes will obviously play his part, Ryan Giggs as well and Tom Cleverley hopefully as well as Anderson if he keeps fit.

"They will all play a part - but, for me, Carrick is the key player.

"If you look at the central midfielders in the Premier League, he can match up against any of them in terms of quality."