Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has told fans to forget about an FA Cup clash with local rivals City and target a win over Arsenal instead.

United host the Gunners in Saturday’s quarter-final at Old Trafford with supporters already looking to a game against City in the semi-finals or final.

Carrick is more realistic however and focused only on beating Arsenal just days after the Gunners made their Champions League exit at Barcelona.

“I can understand the fans getting excited about the possibility but we haven’t even thought about the chances of an all Manchester final game at Wembley yet,” said Carrick.

“We can’t look beyond this one on Saturday yet because it is so huge. We have been so busy leading up to this one that even Arsenal hadn’t been mentioned prior to Liverpool.

“It really is a game-by-game time of the season and that is the only way you can tackle a run-in.”

Arsenal are neck and neck with United in the race for the EPL title and smarting after their European exit in Spain on Wednesday night.

“Arsenal are obviously a very talented midfield. They showed against Barcelona in the first leg how good they can be,” added Carrick.

“They are very skilful and dangerous and play their way. They don’t change it for anyone. We have always had good games against them and pretty close games.

“They are usually good footballing games and I am sure it can be one the fans will savor.”
An FA Cup medal is also high on Carrick’s agenda ahead of the Arsenal game.

He said: “There is a good chunk of us in the United squad who haven’t won the FA Cup, so we are desperate to progress. A lot of us are missing that medal and we want one.”

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