<P class=big>Sir Alex Ferguson insists £18.6 million Michael Carrick is proving himself to be a'real Manchester United player'.
United were held to ransom by Tottenham Hotspur for the 25-year-old as they desperately looked to bolster their midfield armourythis summer.
The significant price tag and the absence of an immediately discernible impact at Old Trafford led to some to question the England international's ability.
But he has been increasingly effective in recent weeks setting up Wayne Rooney with a delicious defence splitting ball for the opener in the 4-0 mauling of Bolton Wanderers and finding Louis Saha for the third.
Carrick and Paul Scholes have developed a strong midfield partnership, despite questions over their defensive abilities and Ferguson believes the club are reaping the rewards for their investment.
"People are always picking on things players can't do whereas they should actually be concentrating on the things they can," Ferguson explained.
"Michael is one of those unassuming quiet guys, who just goes about his job and never gives the ball away.
"But his range of passing can win you games. He has great potential and is a real Manchester United player."
United are set to stick with their star men for the UEFA Champions League match against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The Red Devils need just one point to safeguard their qualification to the next stage of the competition, but Ferguson looks set to stick with his first XI so as to avoid any disruption to the team's fine form thus far.
"We want to win the group and we want to keep our form right, so I will play my strongest team and go for the win," he added.
"Copenhagen are a good technical team. Some of their approach play at Old Trafford was very good but on the night they couldn't find the finish.
"They were quick, organised quickly and did well in midfield and I don't believe that will change this week.
"If we concentrate and defend properly, I believe we have a very good chance."
With Patrice Evra (ankle) The Red Devils' only doubt, Gabriel Heinze is set to fill in at left back, as he looks to complete his comeback from injury.
United were held to ransom by Tottenham Hotspur for the 25-year-old as they desperately looked to bolster their midfield armourythis summer.
The significant price tag and the absence of an immediately discernible impact at Old Trafford led to some to question the England international's ability.
But he has been increasingly effective in recent weeks setting up Wayne Rooney with a delicious defence splitting ball for the opener in the 4-0 mauling of Bolton Wanderers and finding Louis Saha for the third.
Carrick and Paul Scholes have developed a strong midfield partnership, despite questions over their defensive abilities and Ferguson believes the club are reaping the rewards for their investment.
"People are always picking on things players can't do whereas they should actually be concentrating on the things they can," Ferguson explained.
"Michael is one of those unassuming quiet guys, who just goes about his job and never gives the ball away.
"But his range of passing can win you games. He has great potential and is a real Manchester United player."
United are set to stick with their star men for the UEFA Champions League match against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The Red Devils need just one point to safeguard their qualification to the next stage of the competition, but Ferguson looks set to stick with his first XI so as to avoid any disruption to the team's fine form thus far.
"We want to win the group and we want to keep our form right, so I will play my strongest team and go for the win," he added.
"Copenhagen are a good technical team. Some of their approach play at Old Trafford was very good but on the night they couldn't find the finish.
"They were quick, organised quickly and did well in midfield and I don't believe that will change this week.
"If we concentrate and defend properly, I believe we have a very good chance."
With Patrice Evra (ankle) The Red Devils' only doubt, Gabriel Heinze is set to fill in at left back, as he looks to complete his comeback from injury.
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