He may be a Champions League winner but Michael Carrick would still love to get his hands on the Carling Cup.

After being introduced as a late substitute in the first-leg defeat to Derby, Carrick is likely to be on the bench at best tonight as Manchester United look to overturn the Rams' single-goal lead and reach Wembley.

If United do make it through, Ferguson would be left with a major selection poser as more senior figures in his squad jostle for a place in his starting line-up alongside the youngsters who have formed the backbone of the Red Devils' quest for silverware.

And Carrick would be among them as he tries to fill the gaps in his trophy collection.

"I have never won the Carling Cup but I would love to," he said.

"Derby at home is as good a chance as we will get to reach a Carling Cup final. Hopefully we can grasp it. Then who knows come Wembley."

Not that Carrick will be grumbling too much if he is left out.

The former Tottenham star accepts that at this stage of the season, with United in the hunt for every trophy on offer, Ferguson needs to look at his team selections with a clinical eye.

"Now we are on the run-in we are playing big, important games which all mean so much," reflected Carrick.

"You need everyone fresh and on top form. No-one is better at it than the boss.

"It is not a rivalry. We are friends and team-mates so when I am sitting on the sidelines I am still desperate for the team to do well.

"When the younger ones have come in, they have done really well.

"Rafael da Silva is the obvious example. He has played a lot more games than anyone imagined so the incentive is there for anyone to come in and do well."

Ferguson has pledged to field a youthful line-up against Nigel Clough's side, so Darron Gibson, Rodrigo Possebon, Rafael, Danny Welbeck and, possibly, new signing Zoran Tosic can all expect to play a prominent part.

The rest is more difficult to assess as Ferguson tries to spread the load of a major semi-final and an FA Cup tie with Tottenham at the weekend before United return to Premier League action against West Brom a week tonight.

"We have just got so many options, with so many different strengths and weaknesses," said Carrick.

"The boss knows exactly what he is doing and who can argue with him? Certainly not me."