Michael Carrick: We ignored the doubters of David Moyes as Manchester United manager

Midfielder says the team never got too despondent after poor start

Michael Carrick stars for Manchester United in their 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday (GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Carrick was happy to ignore the early-season bandwagon jumpers who insisted Manchester United had got it all wrong following the appointment of David Moyes.

United defender Phil Jones has already suggested many people have been hoping for United to fail, having become jealous of their immense success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Carrick views the sniping as a compliment and admitted some of it was fair after the Red Devils lost three of their opening six Premier League games, which yielded just seven points.

But the 32-year-old was never tempted to agree with the assessment that United were destined for obscurity.

"Obviously with the new manager and new staff coming together and gelling, (defeating Arsenal) helps the feeling within the club," Carrick said.

"It is easy to jump on the bandwagon when we have lost a game or two and people are saying it is all wrong.

"We knew that wasn't the case. We were frustrated with our performances and results but you have to stay patient and trust yourself.

"We never really got too despondent and after a shocking start we are not in a bad position."

After those early season failures to beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, Sunday's result also proves Moyes can eke out positive results against United's major rivals.

Not everything is positive, though.

As expected, Carrick has pulled out of the England squad for the friendlies with Chile and Germany and there have been rumours he could be set for an extended period on the sidelines.

Danny Welbeck is also out of England reckoning as he struggles to overcome a knee problem that has kept him on the sidelines since October 19.

And Sunday's match-winner Robin van Persie will miss Holland's friendlies against Japan and Colombia in order to rest the toe and groin problems that have troubled him for the past six weeks.

In addition, skipper Nemanja Vidic will need to be cleared by United's medical staff before he can return to duty after suffering concussion in an ugly collision with team-mate David de Gea at the weekend.

Moyes will be crossing his fingers none of the absences are extensive because United's next three fixtures, all away, at Cardiff, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham, could shape their season.

Meanwhile, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has met with senior figures in the prominent United fans' group MUST eight years after former chief executive David Gill cut off communication following the organisation's hostile reception to the Glazer family takeover of the Old Trafford outfit.

PA