Carrick opened the scoring in United’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen at the
weekend, stroking home from 12 yards after Wayne Rooney was hauled down
in the area.
Ronaldo is usually the designated penalty taker,
but the Portuguese winger was absent after recently undergoing surgery
on a foot problem that troubled him throughout EURO 2008.
The
position may soon be up for grabs full-time, however, should Ronaldo
fulfil his childhood dream of moving to Real Madrid, who have been
relentless in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
And Carrick
insisted he would be thrilled to take the reins as United’s spot-kick
king: “It’s always nice to score and get off the mark and I’m more than
happy to get on the penalties. I’ll take a few more of them if they
become available!”
The England international is not renowned for
his contribution on the score-sheet but has nonetheless become a vital
cog in the United machine over the past two seasons.
Although
oft maligned by press and public alike, the former Tottenham man has
forged a highly effective partnership with Paul Scholes in central
midfield despite strong competition from Owen Hargreaves and Anderson.
Now
with three medals under his belt since moving to Old Trafford, the
26-year-old is eager to begin the new campaign after an unusually
lengthy off-season.
“The season seems to have come around pretty
quick but it’s the longest break I have had for a number of years,”
Carrick said in The Sun. “So it’s nice to come back and start all over again.
“We have to earn it all again and we know it’s going to be a long, hard season, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Let scholes or giggs take leh, let them score and boost their morale more!