I know Sir Alex will play fair with me

MICHAEL Carrick today claimed he never feared that he had fallen foul of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The midfielder has only started two league matches this season but played a match-winning role in Wednesday’s Champions League success over Wolfsburg.

Ferguson believes Carrick often starts the season slowly and the England midfielder insists he trusts his manager’s judgement.

The 28-year-old said: “Just because you sit out one or two games doesn’t mean he’s fallen out with you.

“It’s a case of looking at the long haul and making sure everyone is fresh throughout the season.

“You can get a little bit frustrated but you trust the manager. I want to play every game but it’s a long season and you have got to be patient.

“Look around the squad at the quality we have and no one is going to play every week. I’ve been here long enough that I know how things work.

“I have been in and out but that’s just how it is, everyone is going to be the same.

“We trust the manager and the teams he picks. As long as we are successful at the end of the season everyone’s happy.”

Victory against Sunderland at Old Trafford tomorrow should keep United top of the table going into the international break.

Ferguson has promised to restore Ben Foster as keeper despite Poland international Tomasz Kuszczak playing against Wolfsburg.