Former Liverpool star Stan Collymore has questioned the quality of Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.

Collymore wrote in the People: "When it comes to United players not stepping on to the next level, I would point to Michael Carrick as someone who has more to prove than Rooney.

"Some have been raving about him and I get a lot of abuse for getting on his back, but I believe that Carrick does not offer United enough on big occasions.

"In the Premier League he is fine. A very good, reliable player who can ­dictate matches and help you win the title.

"But in the Champions League you have to have more about you and too often I see him sat deep, just in front of the back four, simply shutting down players and space. Any decent ­midfielder could fill that role.

"For me, that is not the sign of a top-quality midfielder. He struggles to dominate these big matches."