Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Michael Carrick return will give Man United a lift - Nemanja Matic

Michael Carrick's return following a heart procedure will give the Manchester United dressing room a boost, according to Nemanja Matic.

Carrick has undergone a routine procedure to correct an irregular heart rhythm.

It has limited the midfielder to just one appearance this season, but the 36-year-old, who was named club captain in the summer, is now back in training.

"Michael is very important for this club and I am sure he will help us this season," Matic told Inside United. "Him coming back from the injury is very important for the changing room, but he's also a great player.

"You know everything about him. I don't need to talk about him because he's a great player, but I know him as a man too and I know he is a great man. So I am also happy to see him training again."

Carrick's absence left United manager Jose Mourinho short of midfield options for the 2-1 loss against Manchester City on Sunday with Paul Pogba suspended and Marouane Fellaini still out with a knee injury.

It was the fourth game against a top-six rival Pogba has missed this season after injury ruled him out of the matches against Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea.

In the one game against a top-six rival he has played this season -- the 3-1 win at Arsenal -- he created two goals, and Matic says his teammate, still only 24, is already one of the best in the world.

He added: "Technically he is great and so powerful. I am sure he can still improve as he's young and he is in the right club for him to make that improvement.

"He has a good manager and good staff around him. I am sure he will improve a lot and win many things with United. He is one of the best players in the world in his position. He is great to play with."

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