Michael Carrick believes Manchester United's dramatic late joy against Fulham means more than just three points in the Premier League.
The Reds were on course for a third win out of three in our former midfielder's time in charge, thanks to goals by Casemiro and Matheus Cunha.
However, the visitors scored a quickfire double to stun Old Trafford, as Raul Jimenez converted a penalty and Kevin hammered a terrific drive past Senne Lammens.
Dejection turned to elation, though, when Benjamin Sesko swivelled to fire in a cross by skipper Bruno Fernandes to make it 3-2.
After the game, Carrick had this to say to Sky Sports and MUTV...
WE KNEW IT'D BE TOUGH
“I've said it before the City game, I think this is a special place and it does special things. Credit to the boys. We knew today was going to be a really tough game. I've been getting questions all week, breaking down a low block, beating teams that we're supposed to beat. It was never the case today as Fulham are a really good, good team. I knew we were going to have a lot of questions to answer. I'd been talking to the players all week about how good Fulham are and the dangers. Don't just assume we'll turn up and, if we play well, we'll win. I said to the players at half-time the game was going the way I thought it would go. It'd be hard work because they're a good team. They were 5-1 down to City and ended up pushing them to the limits at 5-4. Credit to the boys, it was a late goal we conceded last week to then go and win and, especially today, it was even more tough to take probably, to then find a winner for Benji.”
GREEDY FOR MORE
“I think it's that emotion. I think, listen, a late winner in front of the Stretford End. You find, in that situation, it's what you get greedy for and want more of that feeling. Certainly, for Ben to get that will do him so much good. We're all pleased for him and it's just the start for him. I couldn't be more pleased. They're the moments that this place brings. You couldn't write it any better. A big moment for us and a big time for him as well. He'll keep wanting to do well as a younger player. It will do him the world of good to sample it and feel it. Not many get to feel it but he has. It's what you turn up for, those moments, and today was one of those.”
LET'S CELEBRATE
“I'll be honest, the last goal was a big moment and the celebrations were big. I think that's what this game does to us. It's why we're in it and love it. I think the disappointment then to the elation. You see everyone in that moment, the subs running down and jumping on Ben. The staff, the supporters. They're the ones you want more of. It flips the mindset a little bit, naturally. At that point, you've got something to hold onto, going into injury time and, all of a sudden, we came here to win the game and the mindset is slightly more positive, in the need to create something. It's what Bruno does in those moments and Ben finishes it off. It's great character to concede a goal and bounce back and be positive. It's a great trait to call upon, when you need it. They go a long way within the group and the supporters have that extra bit of bounce and zip and excitement.”
CASEMIRO IN THE GROOVE
“Case has been such a presence since I came. I have huge respect for him, what he's done and how he goes about his day to day. How motivated and driven he is. You only achieve what he has achieved by having that and he's desperate for a big finish. We all know it's coming to an end this season but you wouldn't have thought it today. It was a big goal and big performance.”
MORE TO COME FROM CUNHA
“He's got so much ability. I still think there is loads more to come from Matheus, in a really positive way. He's had big moments coming on, creating a goal [against City], scoring last week [at Arsenal] and scoring this week. It's a big stepping stone for Matheus. Hopefully, there's more to come. I am sure there is.”
WHAT'S NEXT?
“There's got to be excitement. We want to people to come in with that passion, looking for something to happen and be excited by it. The supporters have gone home happy and looking forward to the next one. But we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves. The old answer: it really is game by game. We can be better than we played today and there is a lot more to come from us in different aspects of the game. We've only been together three weeks and we're working on things and trying to improve things. Today was about getting through it and finding a way. Three in a row is good but we want more. Hopefully, we can win games a little bit more comfortably but, in some ways, when they do come like that, it feels like more than just a win and that spreads through so many people.”