Michael Carrick today offered a message of hope to Arsenal's distraught players.

The former Tottenham midfielder may have helped knock the Gunners out of the title race, but is convinced Arsene Wenger's side will be back among the front-runners next season.

Carrick, who produced an impressive display in Manchester United's 2-1 win yesterday, said: "There was very little between us and Arsenal in the game. In fact I think they were the better side for most of it. And the same goes for the whole season.

"Everybody has been impressed by how well they have played and you have to believe that, despite their disappointments of the last few days, they will be back probably stronger and better after the summer. Big games like yesterday are won on little things. Only small details. The Arsenal players will know that and I am sure they will recover from this."

Arsenal were five points clear at the top of the Premier League in February but are 500-1 outsiders after slipping to nine points behind United with four games remaining.

Carrick said: "I couldn't have foreseen a turnaround like this. We just had to concentrate on getting as many points as possible and while Arsenal's form has dipped ours has got better and better.

"That's the way things can happen in this game and we are obviously delighted.

Chelsea are still right there but if we win our next two games then we're champions again.

"We're in a really good position but it has been so difficult to get to this point and beating Arsenal the way they played against us underlines that."

Carrick's midfield partner Owen Hargreaves, who scored the winner with a stunning free-kick, admitted he didn't ask top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for permission to take it.

He said: "We had an earlier free-kick and I said 'I'll take that', but Ronny said 'it's too far for you'. The second one was a bit closer and it was a good distance for me so I didn't ask him. I can score goals from long distance and free-kicks and if I can get a chance to contribute, I'm very happy with that."