Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is to be offered a 12-month extension to his present £80,000 per week contract, which expires in 2014, according to The Sun. The midfielder has been in excellent form and Sir Alex Ferguson is to reward the England international with a new deal at the end of this season.

Michael Carrick
Reuters

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has made 22 starts in the Premier League this campaign with four assists to his name. His midfield qualities aside, Carrick's importance to the Old Trafford first team was underlined at the start of the season, when he filled in at centre-back after injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones.

The 31-year-old midfielder is also an important part of the national set-up, with Roy Hodgson playing him in three of England's six qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ryan Giggs Wants FA Cup

Meanwhile, United legend Ryan Giggs has revealed he wants to win the FA Cup this season. The last time the Premier League leaders won the competition was in 2003/04, when a brace from Ruud van Nistelrooy and a Cristiano Ronaldo header secured a 3-0 win over Millwall. United have since lost two finals, to Arsenal and Chelsea.

This season, United have progressed to the fifth round after a 4-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford. Giggs led the way, with a third minute penalty.

"The FA Cup means a lot. We've not done as well as we should have done really in the last eight or nine years. There are a lot of players that are desperate to win it. The history that we've got in the competition, we should be there - we should be getting to finals. Hopefully this year will be the year," the Welsh veteran said.

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup is to take place on Sunday 27 January, at 5.45pm GMT.

Ryan Giggs
Reuters

Ferguson on Jones v Terry

Finally, Ferguson has compared United youngster Phil Jones to Chelsea and England veteran John Terry and has claimed the former has "more in his locker" than the Blues' captain.

"Terry has got the ­experience and has become a fantastic central figure at Chelsea. But as a young player, John [Terry] would be the first to admit he didn't have the pace of Phil Jones," the United manager explained, adding, "Phil is a ­versatile boy, he can play anywhere. He's quick, two-footed, reads games well and is competitive. He's doing very well."

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