Carroll gets chance to be United No 1
Roy Carroll is set to be handed another opportunity to achieve his main aim at Manchester United – ousting Fabien Barthez as first-choice keeper.
The Northern Ireland international came off the bench to replace Barthez at Southampton on Saturday when the Frenchman was carried off with hip and thigh injuries sustained in a clash with Michael Svensson.
Old Trafford chief Alex Ferguson has already ruled Barthez out of tomorrow’s encounter with Birmingham at St Andrews, with Carroll likely to step into the breach ahead of summer-arrival Ricardo.
The 25-year-old has already started eight games this season, enjoying an early run in the side when Barthez was injured, then stepping in during the opening stages of the Worthington Cup and against Portsmouth in The FA Cup.
And if he does get the nod for tomorrow’s tussle with Steve Bruce’s side, he will be aiming to make a big impression.
“My goal is to become number one at Manchester United,” the Enniskillen-born player told MUTV.
“I know I have time on my side, but I want to get there sooner rather than later. It’s the biggest challenge I have in front of me.”
A surprise capture from Wigan 18 months ago, Carroll admits the transition from Nationwide Division Two has been enormous.
For a start, he no longer has to wash his own training kit and he also has the benefit of a full-time goalkeeping coach in Tony Coton.
“The training facilities weren’t fantastic at Wigan, while United have everything you could possibly need,” he said.
“You get dietary advice here and the more intensive coaching for the goalkeepers obviously helps as well.
“Then there are all the world-class players you can learn from, in particular Fabien, whose footwork is excellent.
“Having said that, Wigan have started doing well since they got rid of me so they are probably quite pleased.”
Carroll did not get his hands on any silverware during his first season with the club, but he has an outstanding chance of redressing the balance this year.
With a Worthington Cup final place in the bag, three points at St Andrews tomorrow would take the Red Devils to within a single victory of league leaders Arsenal, while promising FA Cup and Champions League campaigns are due to resume in the middle of a hectic month.
“I came to United to win trophies,” he said.
“The manager has made it quite clear he wants to win everything this season and if we keep performing the way we have been recently, we have a chance of doing it.
“Birmingham will be a hard place to go because they have done well lately.
“It is a tight ground and there will be a good atmosphere, but West Brom was just the same and we won there and if we reach that level again we will get the points.”
