Tuesday 25th February 2014 22:58
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Michael Carrick insists that the Manchester United players believe they can turn their UEFA Champions League tie with Olympiakos around.
The Red Devils' European ambitions are hanging by a thread following a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 clash in Greece on Tuesday.
David Moyes' men will now have to find the target on at least three occasions in the return date at Old Trafford if they are to make the quarter-finals.
Carrick believes that is possible, despite United's midweek struggles in the final third, with it his opinion that only minor adjustments are required to turn a negative showing into a positive one.
The England midfielder was speaking after seeing goals either side of the interval from Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell condemn United to their first continental setback of the season.
He told Sky Sports: "First half we had decent possession and felt in control of the game. They scored a goal from nothing and it's put them in a good position.
"As obvious as it is to say, second half we didn't start very well and the second goal puts them in a terrific position.
"It would have been nice for us to get an away goal near the end but the tie isn't over yet, we thoroughly believe that, but it's not ideal.
React
"Over recent weeks we've been doing alright. At the weekend (against Crystal Palace) we played well again.
"I thought first half, coming away in Europe, we were in control, but goals change games and they've scored the first one. Then we probably didn't react in the second half well enough until it was too late.
"Don't get me wrong, to score three goals in this competition is tough but we've done it before and hopefully we'll do it again."
Carrick is also refusing to buy into the belief that United's struggles this season are a direct result of having lost Sir Alex Ferguson's influence on the sidelines.
When pressed on whether the Red Devils lack an inspirational figure in the camp, the experienced midfielder added: "Sir Alex didn't play on the pitch for us. As players we have got to react, we've got to play well, it's as simple as that.
"We've set standards as players over the years and this season hasn't gone so well. We're there to be shot at and we're getting criticism from all angles, everyone is having a bit of a dig and enjoying it, so we've got to take that on the chin and bounce back. I'm sure we will."
via TEAMtalk | Manchester Utd http://ift.tt/1dwisEO
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