CARRICK: MOSCOW PROVIDED MY BEST MEMORY

Michael Carrick admits that any return to Moscow is special because the Russian capital provided the greatest feeling he has ever experienced in football.

The Manchester United midfielder is one of two survivors from the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea – skipper Wayne Rooney is the other – as the Reds prepare to face CSKA Moscow in Group B of this season's competition on Wednesday.

Winning Europe's premier prize on a penalty shoot-out was a dramatic and exhilarating way to clinch the triumph and Carrick successfully converted his spot-kick before enjoying the celebrations when Edwin van der Sar kept out Nicolas Anelka's effort.

"I feel, for me, it’s by far my greatest achievement so far and the best feeling I have ever had was in Moscow," the 34-year-old told Inside United. "It’s a special place for me and everybody else who has got such great memories from there. But it’s a tough place to go to play against CSKA. It won’t be easy and it’s quite a long journey with tough conditions but we’ll look forward to it."

With a Manchester derby on Sunday to come at the end of a busy week, the England international is confident United can handle a taxing programme because it goes with the territory.


"That’s the thing," said Carrick. "That is what the Champions League throws up. You have got big league games the weekend straight after and that is something you have got to adapt to. We have certainly got the squad to accommodate that.