Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is happy to see hometown club Newcastle United doing so well this season.

With 25 points from a possible 36, the North-East club are currently fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

"Newcastle have had a really good start," Carrick told manutd.com. "Not a lot of people would have put them up there if you had asked a few months back. But credit to them, they have stuck together and they are certainly enjoying being up there.

"They are my home-town club and the team I watched as a boy so it is great to see them at the top. The city is really thriving at the minute. They couldn't have expected to be where they are if they took a realistic view because they have had such a hard time of it over the last couple of years.

"I am glad they are doing well but obviously come Saturday, it will be different for me."