Manchester United's Michael Carrick to make 'fast return' from four-week layoff

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested that Michael Carrick will return to action before his predicted four-week layoff.

The midfielder ruptured a calf muscle in training last week and was expected to be on the treatment table for a month.

However, while Van Gaal has ruled Carrick out of Sunday's Premier League match against West Ham United, the Dutchman is optimistic that the midfielder will return sooner rather than later.

"We have only one injury and he is doing well," Van Gaal told MUTV. "He shall also return very fast I think, better than we expect maybe, but it is always [a] wait and see [situation]."

Carrick returned to action from an ankle ligament injury in November.