Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has admitted his admiration for Sunday's opponents Liverpool.

A much-changed Manchester United side earned a draw against Italian giants Roma to protect their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season.

With United already having won Group F and Roma having qualified in second place the game had an eerie start, with the opening 20 minutes dreadfully apathetic.

Michael Carrick says winning all six UEFA Champions League group games would send a statement of intent.

The midfielder would love to be part of only the fifth team to complete a 100 per cent record in their Champions League qualifying group as they prepare to face AS Roma on Wednesday.

Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their hopes of upsetting the champions. And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Manchester United see off Fulham and move second, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points.

Kuszczak and flew in at his near post. They could have added a second almost instantly, but Liedson's finish was ruled out for offside - a marginal decision at best.

As United struggled to maintain any attacking rhythm, Sporting were shooting on sight and Anderson Polga shocked Kuszczak with a snap-shot that the keeper held at the second attempt.

Gary Megson claimed his first win in charge of Bolton with the unlikely scalp of Manchester United, thanks to Nicolas Anelka's early strike.

United experienced their only previous league defeat this season back in August - against Manchester City - whereas that same month marked Bolton's only win in the Premier League - 3-0 against Reading.

Michael Carrick has urged Dimitar Berbatov to quit Tottenham and join him at Manchester United.

"Any world-class player who is going to bring something different to the club, you always welcome that whether that's Berbatov or whoever," former Spurs midfielder Carrick told the Metro.

Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's double.

Prior to Saturday Blackburn had recorded seven wins in eight games and initially Rovers more than matched United, with strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy looking lively.

UNITED midfielder Michael Carrick believes competition for places is so great at Old Trafford that manager Sir Alex Ferguson may have a problem picking his first-choice line-up.