Manchester United boss Michael Carrick on Leeds United and Sunday’s Roses derby against the Whites.

Michael Carrick has served up praise for Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side and the likely atmosphere in Sunday’s Roses derby at Elland Road but with a “ready” Manchester United vow.

Roses rivals Leeds and Manchester United will lock horns for the first time this season in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off in West Yorkshire, for which Farke’s Whites have been made favourites amid their strong start to the new campaign.

Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Red Devils boss Carrick praised Farke’s fantastic work with Leeds who he said were now a very good Premier League team in just their second season in the country’s top flight.

Carrick also hailed the rivalry between the Whites and Red Devils which he said must be embraced, the Manchester United boss expecting a fantastic atmosphere at Elland Road on Sunday but vowing that his side will be ready.

“I think Daniel's doing a fantastic job,” said Carrick.

“From the start of last season and then the change, and the run that they've gone on, the consistency, the way they play, I think they've turned into a really, really, very good Premier League team and credit to Daniel and his staff and obviously the players for that because they've done it over quite a long period of time now.

“We know it's a fantastic game of football. There's a great rivalry, there's big history between the football clubs, between the areas.

“I think that's what makes these type of games special and I think you've got to embrace the history, you've got to embrace what it means, and you've got to embrace the past of certain games a little bit different.

“And that's what makes them special, that's what gets you attached to them in this is certainly one of them. It'll be a fantastic game, I'm sure, a fantastic atmosphere on Sunday, and we'll be ready for it.”

Asked what made Elland Road so special, Carrick added: “It brings an intensity. It's a fantastic atmosphere, and there'll be a little bit extra again on Sunday against us so that's what it is. That's what football is. That's what these games bring. You've got to be ready for it. Of course we have— and the boys will be.”