Michael Carrick has predicted great times lie ahead for
Manchester United this season.
After collecting a Premier League winners' medal in his first
season at Old Trafford, Carrick started off the new campaign in the
best manner possible at Wembley yesterday, tucking home one of the
penalties which saw United complete a spot-kick win over Chelsea to
clinch the Community Shield.
Although it should be nothing more than an afterthought in the
season as a whole, the victory proves United are in good spirits
seven days before they start the defence of their Premier League
title.
With Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and imminent signing Carlos Tevez
yet to make a meaningful contribution and a host of star names due
to return from injury, Carrick believes United have every reason to
be optimistic.
'We have a fantastic squad with a lot of options in attacking
areas,' said Carrick.
'If we can have a solid base and defend really well, we will always
create chances and score a lot of goals.
'We know Chelsea have a very strong squad as well. It is going to
be nip and tuck between us throughout the season and, if anything,
it will be a bigger challenge for us than before because everyone
else has improved. But hopefully, great times lie ahead for
us.'
In a closely-contested encounter, marginally better than May's
awful FA Cup final, skipper Ryan Giggs put United ahead before
new-boy Florent Malouda converted a neat leveller for Chelsea just
before the break.
Edwin van der Sar proved United's shoot-out hero, saving all three
Blues penalties, allowing Wayne Rooney to complete victory after
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick had also scored.
Ferguson's squad will get one more run out before Reading head to
Old Trafford next Sunday, with half his players heading across the
Irish Sea to Glentoran, while the rest travel north to their
manager's former club Dunfermline.
Providing there are no further complications with Tevez's arrival
and his registration is completed with the Premier League either
tomorrow or Wednesday as planned, the 23-year-old will be in one of
the travelling parties.
Ferguson has not revealed which one but if Tevez produces an
effective performance, he will be involved against Steve Coppell's
men next weekend.
'Carlos has shown he can be one of the top strikers in the world,'
said Ferguson.
'The boy has got something exceptional in him. He trained with us
on Friday and Saturday and I was surprised how well he did. He
looked quite sharp.
'It would be nice to think I could have him available for the
Reading game but if not then I am sure about the following
week.'
Before then, Ferguson must deal with the thorny issue of Gabriel
Heinze.
The full-back is apparently set on a move to Liverpool, something
the United camp refuse to countenance.
Heinze is due back in training today when it is expected he will
have talks with Ferguson to try and resolve the dispute.
'I hope he turns up,' said Ferguson. 'He has been instructed
to.'
Rolling Good Times To Come!! 
soccernet