Michael Carrick wants to pip Manchester City for second spot

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick believes that the Red Devils can overhaul Manchester City and Arsenal and stage a grandstand finish for second spot.

The 20-time Champions showed glimpses of their brilliance against Tottenham at Old Trafford while thrashing the north London club to secure a much needed 3-0 win over their top four rivals. Carrick scored and assisted in the game to put United in the drivers seat, while Wayne Rooney continued his goal scoring form in attack to extend their lead.

The win keeps them to within a point of Arsenal and two clear of Liverpool as the battle for a place in the top four intensifies. City's recent problems mean that they find themselves only a point ahead of Arsenal in second and two ahead of United. The Citizens travel to Manchester United next month in a battle which could decide the Champions League positions, especially with no team showing any signs of letting up.

However, Carrick is still wary of any speculation especially with the Red Devils set to travel to Anfield next weekend to face Liverpool, where a loss will lose them their position in the top four.

"We're within touching distance now. You look at the table now and it's so tight. But I suppose really we've just got to look to next Sunday at Liverpool," Carrick said.

"There are going to be ups and downs because that's how it is, especially in the last nine or 10 games.

"Sunday is a big game for a lot of reasons and that is probably all we can focus on at the moment," he added.

The midfielder also gushed about their performance against Tottenham, branding it their best this season.

"I think it has to be our best performance of the season given the importance of the game," said Carrick.

"After the first few minutes, when we made a couple of little mistakes, I thought we controlled the game well and looked a real threat going forward.

"In the second-half, when you're up like that, you go out of the dressing-room trying to replicate exactly what you've done in the first-half, but sometimes it doesn't always pan out like that," he concluded.