Carrick upbeat over prospects in Porto

Michael Carrick is confident Manchester United will score in Porto on Wednesday night to give themselves a chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

In all probability, United will have to become the first English team to beat the Portuguese champions on their own ground if they are to reach the last four for the third season running.

"We always believe we can score. Sometimes it doesn't quite happen. But we always give it our best and more often than not we do." said the England midfielder.

"If we play well we can exploit the best of teams. We have the players to do it and we are set up as a team to do it.

"As long as we play to our potential I am sure we will cause them problems."

The visitors could throw caution to the wind from an early stage, effectively being prepared to concede in order to score the two goals that could turn extra time into a possibility.

"We will approach it like we approach any game, which is to win," said Carrick.

"It won't be a case of going crazy and trying to score in the first 10 minutes feeling that if we don't it will be a disaster. One goal will be enough. Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet and nick it."