Michael Carrick urges Manchester United team-mates to step up to fill void left by Paul Scholes

Michael Carrick(Getty Images)

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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick believes that the squad must collectively step up to fill the gap left by the retired Paul Scholes.

The 29-year-old insists that instead of one player improving to emerge as a replacement, the whole team should up their game to bridge the gap, much as they did when Cristiano Ronaldo left to join Real Madrid in 2009.

“Losing a player like Paul is a loss – he brings so much to the team,” Carrick told the club’s official website.

“He was a world-class player, so you have to compensate in other ways.

“We have done that in the past – we lost Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago and people didn’t think we’d get over it. But different players step up – maybe it is not one player but we share the responsibility.”

Apart from Scholes’ retirement, United have also had to deal with Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville calling time on their careers, while veterans John O’Shea and Wes Brown have been sold to Sunderland.

David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones have come in as replacements to the experienced players who have left the club.

“We are always confident, especially after winning the league,” Carrick said.

“The manager always strengthens when he feels it is right and in positions he feels need strengthening.

“We trust him totally with that and we believe we have a chance this season.”