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.

Owen Hargreaves has been beset by injuries since his move from Bayern Munich to Old Trafford, but the England international has wasted no time in settling in at Manchester United.
The 26 year old has started the last five games for the Red Devils, after shaking off a troubling tendonitis injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson is billing Anderson as the world's best young player after watching the Brazilian make Paul Scholes Manchester United's forgotten man.

Anderson, 19, has been in breathtaking form since being given the daunting task of filling in for knee injury victim Scholes at the end of October.

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is the man that keeps the dressing room together, reveals Danny Simpson.

United beat Fulham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Monday night but stand-in skipper Ryan Giggs admitted the scoreline should have been bigger.

The Reds missed a string of chances in front of goal as Sir Alex's men carved open a Fulham defence that have kept just two clean sheets all season.

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.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha has declared himself fit after a long battle with injuries.

Saha has had several muscular worries since joining United in 2004 but has mainly struggled with a cartilage problem in his knee.

"It has been difficult but I am injury-free now," he said.

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.

Darren Fletcher is confident he will have a key role to play for Manchester United over the coming months.

The Scottish midfielder has struggled with a number of minor injuries this season, while he has also been kept on the sidelines by the emergence of summer signing Anderson.

"Obviously, you want to play in every game," he said.