Carrick Happy with Goal

Michael Carrick admitted Manchester United were forced to claim victory 'the hard way' as they moved to the brink of the Premier League title.

The Red Devils are now just one point away from equalling Liverpool's record of 18 top-flight crowns after Carrick scored a late winner to secure a 2-1 success away to Wigan.

Carrick drilled home from the edge of the box to put the champagne on ice ahead of Arsenal's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

The former West Ham and Spurs midfielder told Sky Sports: "To score a goal as important as that is a great feeling. I had to make up for my miss in the first half. The win was vital tonight.

"Wigan didn't sit back and defend, they came at us and caused us a few problems. They had a number of chances and we rode our luck a bit.

"It's not the first time we've come from behind and we do it the hard way, but it's a good feeling when it happens.

"Carlos coming on and scoring like that got us back in the game and from then on we just wanted to nick the winner and we've done that."