Michael Carrick accepts he will have to be patient to make his first competitive appearance as Manchester United's new skipper.

The midfielder watched the 4-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford from the directors' box and admitted: "We've got a great squad.

"It's a long season and there will be a lot of games. Hopefully, we can go far in the cup competitions.

"There will be a lot of games, just like last year and there is going to be a lot of rotation of the squad."

As for the captaincy, he added: "It's a big honour for me, it's very special to be in the position I am.

"It probably comes with me being here for quite some time now and being the oldest in the squad. It doesn't really change an awful lot from day-to-day.

"There's obviously more responsibility but I think that's a natural thing. You've got to try to lead in certain ways but I'm just trying to be myself.

"You can't suddenly change because you're put in a different role. You just got to be yourself and respect all the lads like I do."