As a former member of the famed Wallsend Boys Club, Carrick has always kept a close eye on life at the club he supported as a boy, and their form this season has come as a pleasant surprise.

Only two years after finding themselves in the Championship, Newcastle have made remarkable progress, first under Chris Hughton and now Alan Pardew.

And while Carrick will not be out to do them any favours tomorrow when they visit Old Trafford, he is full of praise for their efforts this season.

"If they took a realistic view, even the Newcastle fans couldn't have expected to be where they are right now because they have had such a hard time of it over the last couple of years," Carrick said.

"Obviously they are my home town club and one I watched as a boy. I am glad they are doing well. I hope it lasts as long as it can."

With Tottenham and Arsenal in the middle of excellent runs, Liverpool generally producing more consistent performances and Chelsea expected to bounce back from their current poor run, few expect Newcastle to remain in their present lofty position.

Carrick is not quite so dismissive, even if he wonders whether owner Mike Ashley might have to spend to keep them there.

"It is a long season," he added. "We have had teams up there in the past and then find it difficult after Christmas.

"But who knows? If they are still up there in January they might bring one or two new players in."

After finding his own opportunities limited during the opening weeks of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson feels Carrick has been one of United's in-form players recently, culminating in his man-of-the-match performance against Benfica on Tuesday.

Ferguson's revelation that Anderson has been ruled out until February with a knee injury, along with an ankle problem that threatens to keep Tom Cleverley sidelined until Christmas, means there will be even more emphasis on Carrick over the next couple of weeks.

Not that he is complaining.

"I am enjoying myself at the minute," he said. "I am fit and looking forward to the games ahead. It is nice when positive things are said about you, especially by the manager. I am just look to keep my good form going."

What Carrick would quite like is a goal, with his last in the Premier League coming in December 2009 in a 5-0 romp at Wigan.

The 30-year-old did score soon after in the thrilling Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City, but since then has drawn a complete blank, a run that now extends to 68 games.

"I would love a goal," he said. "It is not something I am losing sleep over. You are there to do a job for the team in both boxes and in the middle of the park.

"But I try to put myself in positions to score and I certainly wouldn't turn down a goal if it was offered to me."