Carrick was handed a new contract by Sir Alex Ferguson this season even though his form dipped far below his normal standards. The 29-year-old was also to blame for Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final matchwinner at Wembley last week when a stray pass rolled kindly to Yaya Toure, who seized on the chance to grab the only goal. However, Carrick was also one of the major influences behind United's Champions League quarter-final triumph over Chelsea. And as Darren Fletcher will miss Tuesday's semi-final first-leg against Schalke, Vidic believes the former Tottenham midfielder will be a key man. "I have always said that Michael Carrick is an important player for us," said the United skipper. "He has such a big role for the team. He is that balance between the defence and midfield and the midfield and forwards. "Over the years he has done that dirty job well. Maybe it is not a great role for the fans and media but we know how important he is for us." Vidic has not been at United long enough to recall surprise semi-final defeats to Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayer Leverkusen five years later. But they cost Ferguson's treble-winning side the second Champions League trophy he felt they deserved. And as the Scot has already stated his belief that United's four final appearances is inadequate for a club of their size, he will be exceptionally keen to avoid slipping on a third German banana skin. Not that anyone at Old Trafford expects booking a meeting with either Real Madrid or Barcelona is going to be easy. Schalke are unbeaten in nine games since losing their opening group encounter against Lyon in September and have been particularly impressive in the knockout stages. They dispatched a Valencia side who gave United two tough games earlier in the competition with the minimum of fuss at the last-16 stage and then slammed seven goals past holders Inter Milan during a two-legged quarter-final that belied their mid-table status in the Bundesliga, nearer in points terms to the bottom than the top. "We are pleased to be where we are," said Vidic. "I know we are the favourites but that doesn't mean anything. "Schalke scored five goals away from home against Inter. You have to respect that. Any team you play at this stage of the competition is not going to be easy." Having drafted Javier Hernandez into his starting line-up for the two Chelsea games, it is anticipated Ferguson will stand by the Mexican. With Wayne Rooney also certain of a place, it means only one of Nani and Antonio Valencia can expect to be involved.
