Michael Carrick dedicates Villarreal win to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick has dedicated his side's win at Villarreal on Tuesday night to predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian was given his marching orders on Sunday after a terrible run of results, with Carrick being placed in temporary charge ahead of their crucial Champions League tie.

Paul Scholes criticised the decision to keep Carrick on as he formed part of Solskjaer's backroom staff and United's caretaker manager admitted that while he enjoyed taking charge of the Red Devils, he admits it has not been an easy period.

"I have enjoyed [managing United]. It's not been an easy few days for anyone at the club," Carrick told BT Sport. "That result feels like it's for Ole and I can't get away from that. But we had a job to do and when I was there, things needed to be taken care of and I was happy to do it, and thankfully it all went to plan."

Carrick revealed that he had complete confidence that United would get the win required to send them to the last 16.

"We came here to win the game. I believed we would, we were ready for it tonight," Carrick added. "It wasn't an easy game, they're a good team. Those who don't watch them that much won't see it but they're a good team. I thought the boys dug in tonight and showed a bit of everything.

"Let's be honest, I don't think we could have hoped to come out here and play pretty football from the word go. When you've suffered results-wise and you're not in a great vein of form individually and as a team then it's not easy to come out and let everything click. In some ways it was the best way to win for me, we showed some character and dug in, showed some fight.

"We got back together again and the subs made the impact. The boys gave everything."