Michael Carrick stresses pre-season importance

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has claimed that a good pre-season is vital if the club wants a successful Premier League campaign.

The Red Devils travel to Asia for a number of fixtures next month before domestic competition gets underway on August 17.

"A good pre-season gives you that base you need to keep going throughout the season," Carrick told the club's official website. "I think it's a vital part of the year – it's important to get through pre-season and steer clear of injuries and be ready for the games at the start of the campaign."

United's first pre-season match is against a Singha All Star XI in Bangkok on July 13.