Everything but the goal for Carrick's United

Midfielder Michael Carrick was pleased with Manchester United FC's performance as they drew 0-0 with FC Internazionale Milano but noted that missed chances at San Siro had left the tie "hanging in the balance".

First-half dominance
Playing his 27th game in Europe's premier club competition, Carrick was particularly impressed by his side's first-half showing, during which Cristiano Ronaldo was a constant thorn in Inter's side, testing the home team's resolute goalkeeper Júlio César with a series of free-kicks and headers. "We played well tonight, particularly in the first half, and we're satisfied," said Carrick, "but we're a bit disappointed because we haven't taken all our chances.

'In control'
"We played well, took the game to them and created a lot of opportunities that on another day we would have scored but it wasn't to be and it's not a bad position to be in going into the second leg," he added. "We knew what to expect from Inter. They're a good side but we looked to play to our strengths and we cancelled them out. We were pretty much in control of the game. I felt that they had a spell just after half-time where they came back at us a little bit but apart from that we were in control."

Away goal threat
For all of United's dominance they could not convert the chances that came their way, with Ryan Giggs, on 29 minutes, also finding César too sharp for him when he bore down on goal. Thus, United must host the Italian champions knowing that an away goal could be their undoing at Old Trafford. "The next game will be tough with two good teams going at it again," Carrick conceded. "Games like this can turn quite quickly so we'll be aware of their strengths but we'll try and win. The tie is still hanging in the balance, they've got players who can change the game quite quickly, but we're good at home, we've got players that are good enough and I'm confident that we can go through."

Evans praise
Carrick was quick to pay tribute to his side's makeshift defence, which incorporated John O'Shea and Jonny Evans due to the absence of key players, but which managed to stretch the club's unbeaten run to a record 20 matches in the UEFA Champions League. "I think it shows the strength in depth in our squad that Nemanja Vidić wasn't playing tonight and Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Rafael were out injured," he said. "I don't know how you can pick a best back four anymore because whenever any players have come in they've done tremendously well. Jonny Evans had a great game tonight and he was carrying a knock. It was brilliant to keep another clean sheet – it's given us a lot of confidence."

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