Michael Carrick has welcomed Manchester United's signing spree this summer.

The arrivals of Büttner and Henriquez follow the acquisitions of renowned Dutch striker Robin van Persie from Arsenal, Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund and promising midfielder Nick Powell from Crewe. An increase in numbers in the squad has also meant an increase in the competition for places, but Carrick insists that can only be positive for the Reds.

"When you see top players come through the door it gives everyone a big lift," Carrick told ManUtd.com. "It puts everyone in a positive mood because it means the team is moving forward, but you also know you've got to play well to stay in the team and that helps keep the standards high.

"It's up to us to learn the strengths of the new players and for them to fit in to our system and I'm sure we'll get better as the season goes on. At this stage though it's about picking up points and we need to start doing that."