Michael Carrick has admitted Andrey Arshavin's four-goal performance at Liverpool gave Manchester United a major lift ahead of last night's win against Portsmouth.

The Russian's strikes helped Arsenal to a 4-4 draw and ensured Rafael Benitez's side lost crucial ground in their pursuit of United in the Premier League title race.

United added to the misery on Merseyside by moving three points clear of their rivals — with a game in hand — after goals from Wayne Rooney and Carrick ensured a comfortable victory over Paul Hart's side.

Carrick said: “It was a boost for us watching the Liverpool game and seeing that result. We were desperate to make up the points with a good win and we got the three points.

“We're in a decent position and hopefully we can get the momentum up again in the next few games and put it to bed as quickly as we can.

“During this stage it is all about winning games and picking up points. We all want to play well and win by lots of goals but it is not as simple as that. Sometimes it is the games you come through when you're not at your best that give you the best feeling.”

The England midfielder lines up against his former club Tottenham on Saturday in what will be United's 58th game of the season.

But, with as many as nine games more to play in the current campaign, Carrick is adamant tiredness will not be a factor as United look to retain their Premier League and Champions League crowns.

He added: “I have been through this each season I have been at the club. We expect to be successful and you become used to it, so fatigue is not an excuse. We have a big squad with all the facilities we need, so tiredness doesn't come into it.”

The depth of that squad will be tested once again, with Sir Alex Ferguson's new defensive injury problems that could severely hamper his side against Spurs and their upcoming Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

United's season has been dominated by continued absences to Ferguson's rearguard and, of his regular back four, only Nemanja Vidic has escaped an extended spell on the sidelines. With Wes Brown working his way back from a foot problem, Ferguson lost two more full-backs, Gary Neville and John O'Shea, to respective foot and ankle injuries last night and he expects to be without the duo for several weeks.

Rio Ferdinand was rested against Pompey after he played 120 minutes of the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Everton in just his second game back following several weeks on the sidelines with a groin problem but Ferguson will need him for the visit of Harry Redknapp's side.

The United manager said: “The fact Rio played extra-time last weekend and that was his first game in two or three weeks, it was too big a risk [to play him against Portsmouth]. There was nothing wrong with his groin, it was just tiredness and with Jonny Evans being such a good performer, it was easy to do that.”

Ferdinand's return would mean that at least United would have five fully-fit defenders to choose from for the game against Spurs.

But unless Ferguson decides to play Evans at right-back, he will be forced to pitch inexperienced Brazilian youngster Rafael, who has only just overcome an ankle injury, into the most important stretch of games of the season.

After Rooney opened the scoring in the ninth minute against Pompey, Carrick made the game safe with a fine second with just eight minutes remaining.