Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is confident that his side can catch up with their rivals in the Premier League in their up-and-coming fixtures.

The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League standings with 18 points after 11 matches, and eight points behind current leaders Liverpool.

The 35-year-old believes they are very close to catching up with the teams above them in the standings. With 27 league fixtures still to be played by each club this season, Carrick feels his side could be firmly in the shake-up when positions really start to matter.

‘We still feel we’re well in touch,’ Carrick told the Manchester United website.

‘I know people are looking at it [the table] and saying we’re drifting and we’re not right at the top, but we still feel there’s more to come and we’ve got a great chance of being up there.’

The English midfielder says the manager, coaches and players are giving United momentum again to start climbing the table.

‘I certainly believe that. It’s easy for me to sit here and say it. Time will tell.

‘But I just feel we’ve got the personalities and the personnel – the manager, the coaches, and the players. We just need to start building the momentum really and now’s the time to do that.’

Manchester United take on Arsenal in what is expected to be an enticing encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 14:30.