Michael Carrick Hails Manchester United's Ryan Giggs

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick (pictured) has hailed the performances of United legend Ryan Giggs, and points to the Welshman's career as a shining example to all young players.

The Red Devils will attempt to claw back a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against plucky Championship outfit Derby County at Old Trafford tomorrow, and Carrick cites the fact that Giggs has two Carling Cup winner's medals already, from 1992 and 2006, in his glittering collection of honours as evidence of the veteran's will to win.

"Ryan is as motivated as anyone in the dressing room," Carrick told The Manchester Evening News.

"That is why he has been here for so long and achieved so much. If you win a league title, a lot of players might think 'that is not bad, I will settle for that'. But you can’t get away with that here and Ryan is the obvious example of that.

"As players coming in you look at Ryan, see how motivated and determined he is and realise that is the way to be.

"He commands the respect of everyone in the dressing room. People look up to him. It is not so much asking his advice, it is to see what it takes to be a success in the game."

And Carrick feels that when Giggs eventually retires, the warmth of the appreciation he will receive from the world of football will be truly deserved.

"I definitely think that will be the case," added Carrick.

"Around the game he couldn’t be held in any higher esteem but as a whole, sadly, it will only be when it is over that everyone else comes flooding in to say how good he was."

Although a weakened line-up is expecetd from United in tomorrow night's game, Alex Ferguson may yet call on some of his 'big guns' in order to reach another final. Whether he is called upon to play or not, Carrick inists that he, just like the rest of the squad, will be cheering the team on.

"It is not a rivalry between us all," he explained. "We are doing things to be successful as a squad.

"We are friends and team-mates so when I am sitting on the sidelines I am still desperate for the team to do well.

"At the end of the season you want the whole squad to be sitting there with winners’ medals. That is what being a player at Manchester United is all about."

Resource: Goal.com