Michale Carrick didn't want to be playing against Tottenham on Sunday. Not because of any lingering emotion or mixed feelings about taking on a much-admired former club and attempting to wreck their hopes of retaining the Carling Cup.

But because Championship side Burnley, their semi-final opponents, who Carrick openly admits cheering for in an epic second leg at Turf Moor, would have provided a much easier route to silverware.

"It was an amazing game," the Manchester United midfielder recalled in the wake of his side's 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League this week.

"But I wanted Burnley to win just because Tottenham have the better squad.

"Burnley were brilliant, not just that night but also in the first half at Tottenham. Still, deep down I was thinking that it would have been easier to play them in the final."

Such a professional attitude is typical of Carrick - Mickey not Michael to those who know him - and has helped carry him from promising youth-team player at West Ham to mainstay of United's world-class midfield.

I was a player at Upton Park when Carrick's talent first started to emerge and the thing that struck me most about him was not just his touch or passing ability but his temperament.

From the moment he started training with the first team, to making his debut and quite often playing in important matches while not fully fit - he had a lot of niggling injuries as a youngster - you could tell he was going to the very top.

Nothing fazed him and it's that approach, along with his technical ability, that made Tottenham and then United so keen to sign him.

Despite the obvious talent Carrick possessed, however, it still surprised many in the game that United were prepared to pay £18.6million - in July 2006 - for a player who had never even played in the Champions League.

But not only has he totally justified that price tag - he was, in my opinion, the best player on the pitch in May's Champions League Final - he has also gone on to be one of United's most influential players this season.

Carrick said: "I knew at the time it was a lot of money but I didn't feel any pressure. I never thought the fee would be that much but it was out of my hands. Once I found out I was going to United, I just wanted to concentrate on getting in the team.

"People have gone for big money before and not succeeded for some reason. But if I'd worried about that, then I wouldn't have been able to give my best and it would've taken away my performance in both training and in matches.

"Mind you, the first training session I looked around and suddenly realised I was training with Giggsy, Scholesy, Wazza, Ronaldo and Rio and thought 'This is what it's all about.' The first day I was a bit anxious but all the lads made me feel very comfortable."

Two Premier League titles and a Champions League medal have helped increase those comfort levels and this season there is the prospect of further glory with United aiming at five trophies, including the World Club Cup they won in Japan in December.

But, while Carrick admits the team are going into every game believing they can win, the 27-year-old insists there has been no dressing-room talk of a historic Quintuple.

He said: "Since we came back from Japan, the amount of games we have played is crazy so you can't look too far ahead. You just get used to the games coming thick and fast and it keeps you on your toes, which is probably a good thing."

But is five trophies possible? "I don't know," said Carrick. "The Champions League is such a special one. It's a competition that can be won or lost on the smallest detail. No one has won it twice in a row before. And to win the Premier League three times in a row would be a pretty amazing achievement as well.

"The World Club Cup was a bonus, really, but if we could do it all in the same year, then it would be something very special."

But Carrick will be putting League and European ambitions to one side against a Spurs team managed by Harry Redknapp (left), who he credits with playing a key part in his development. He added: "When I broke into the West Ham side Joe Cole and Frank Lampard were in the team. Joey was 17 and Frank was 20.

"I was the same age as Joe and there aren't many managers who would have had all three in the team. But he believed enough in us to put us there.

"Harry wanted free-flowing football and he never put any pressure on me and gave me a lot of confidence."

That managerial skill has been put to good use at White Hart Lane where Redknapp has steered Spurs clear of the relegation zone.

Although, United are favourites, Carrick is expecting a tricky encounter.

He added: "We played Spurs just before Christmas and it was a very tight game. We were not at our best but it was very tough.

"Looking at their side, Aaron Lennon is coming into good form. If he is on his game he is difficult to stop. And Luka Modric is also a threat, he is a very clever and skilful player.

"If we are on our game we should win but the League table won't mean anything on Sunday.

"The Carling Cup is a major tournament. I've not come close to winning it before but I've won trophies for the last couples of years and you can't get enough of that feeling."