Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed that he is pleased with the clean sheet that his side kept in Wednesday's 1-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils conceded no goals in a game for only the fourth time this season as Robin van Persie's first-minute strike helped them to stay at the top of the Premier League table.

"Obviously we weren't at our best and the flowing football that you want to play and the chances that you want to create didn't quite happen, but we got a clean sheet which was quite pleasing and I thought we defended well," Carrick told the club's official website.

"A clean sheet is the biggest plus that we can take from tonight. They pumped a lot of balls into the box, asked questions and made us defend. Our two centre halves were terrific."

United have the opportunity to stay at the top of the standings on Saturday when they travel to Reading.