Arsene Wenger: 'Michael Carrick has been exceptional'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has the quality to play for Barcelona.

Carrick has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award after helping United to the Premier League title, and Wenger has praised the former Tottenham Hotspur player for his performances this season.

The Frenchman told reporters: "Carrick is a quality passer and he could play for Barcelona, he would be perfectly suited to their game.

"He has a good vision and is an intelligent player, and it is for what he has achieved in his whole career as well. It is this year or never for him, just because he is 31 and he has been exceptional for United."

The 31-year-old could feature when United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.