Carrick Hails Ronaldo's Strength

Michael Carrick believes that Ronaldo has proved again that he's a top player as he kept his cool with the penalty against Arsenal.

The league's top scorer had to convert the spot-kick twice because of an encroachment by Ji-sung Park. However, he had the nerve to aim for the same corner for the second time, too.

"Ronny dealt with the pressure very well,' Carrick told MUTV.

'It was a terrific penalty and that`s what top players do under pressure. They raise their game and produce the goods.

It was definitely a turning point but this game will be remembered by Owen Hargreaves' fantastic free-kick.

Owen stepped up and hit a tremendous free-kick. We`ve seen him do it many times in training and I was pretty confident that he was going to take that and score."

"You could see by the celebrations how much it meant to us," the midfielder added. "It was a tough game - one of the hardest ones we`ve had all season.

"We`re in control of the situation now and next week`s another huge game for us, so we`ll rest and get ready for that this week."

And that week's rest could not come at a better time, after such a mentally and physically draining game. Carrick himself looked like a bit tired but we must be grateful for the rotation: we have enough in the tank to last this season I think.