Michael Carrick has proved he deserves to be an automatic starter for Manchester United for the rest of the season, according to Ray Wilkins. The 35-year-old started in Uniteds 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday, playing at the base of a midfield three which also included Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.Carrick, who had been behind Marouane Fellaini in the pecking order for much of the season, impressed in his holding role as United got the best of the midfield exchanges for much of the game against the Gunners. His presence in front of the back four afforded Pogba and Herrera more licence to venture forward to join in attacks and Wilkins believes Mourinho has found a formula for success, even though United conceded a late equaliser on Saturday. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ: Mourinho will be extremely upset. I think when you saw his press conference he said it felt like a defeat. I thought United played exceptionally well.I think the inclusion of Michael Carrick has to be a permanent for Jose because it allows Herrera - who is finally becoming a Manchester United player in the middle of the field - and Pogba to go and do their work in advanced areas. How unlucky are Man Utd? Jose Mourinho insists Man Utd are the Premier Leagues unluckiest team, but what do the stats say? Carrick just gives them that little bit of serenity in the middle of the field when they need to control a game. His passing is fantastic.Also, Phil Jones is starting to look a player once again after a long lay-off. Thats an absolute bonus for Jose.Mourinho rued his sides bad luck after the game as United were consigned to a third straight league draw at home after frustrating outings against Burnley and Stoke. Juan Mata says it is extremely frustrating to have conceded a late goal in Manchester Uniteds 1-1 draw with Arsenal Wilkins believes Uniteds fortunes will improve over the course of the season if they can play with the same level of intensity as they did on Saturday.Everybody has their good luck and everybody has their bad luck, Wilkins said. I wouldnt say they have been the unluckiest team. Jose Mourinho hailed Man Uniteds phenomenal defensive display in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal and insists they were the best team by far What I did see on Saturday was an energy that I havent seen from them before. They put Arsenal under a huge amount of pressure and, for once, the Arsenal players couldnt cope with that pressure.They were flustered in possession of the ball and they did not play the way Im sure Arsene [Wenger] would have liked them to play. Wayne Rooney warms up on the touchline at Old Trafford I was very impressed with Manchester United. I thought they looked a good side.I personally would have played [Wayne] Rooney through the middle from the start and had [Marcus] Rashford out on the left-hand side. [Anthony] Martial is not having such a good time at the moment.But nevertheless it was a good performance. I think before the game if you had offered Jose a point he probably would have taken it. Sign in to watch highlights: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Saturdays draw leaves United six points behind Arsenal - who sit fourth in the table - and nine points adrift of league leaders Chelsea.Wilkins believes Mourinhos men are too far off the pace to mount a serious title challenge but says qualifying for the Champions League is a must for the club after missing out last season.I dont think the championship is in their capabilities to be perfectly honest but they certainly have to finish in the top four, Wilkins said.The Champions League needs Manchester United and Manchester United are desperate for it.They have to get into that top four.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Jose: Why I left Rooney out WATCH: Premier League goals Dont panic urges Phil Jones Carrick: No problems to solve New Nike React Element 87 2019 .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Nike Epic React Flyknit Wholesale .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. http://www.nikereactsale.com/cheap-nike-air-more-uptempo-shoes.html .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Nike Odyssey React Cheap . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Nike Epic React Flyknit Clearance . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. OAKLAND -- Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli is contemplating a procedure on his left knee that would rule him out for the rest of the season, according to league sources.No final decision has been made, but sources told ESPN.com that Ezeli and the Trail Blazers are strongly considering the surgical route because Ezeli has not been able to play in Portlands first 29 games this season.Everyone has moments of setback. Its unfortunate and disappointing that I am facing one of those right now, Ezeli told The Undefeated. My aim is to fundamentally address issues that have lingered so that I can be the best that I can be, to help my team contend for and win the title. To all concerned I assure this: My love for the game nothing but ensures that I will be back better and stronger than ever, and you can take that to the bank.Blazers coach Terry?Stotts wouldnt confirm whether Ezeli was considering season-ending surgery, given that he has yet to play for his new team.I really dont have any comment on it, on his health or any medical procedure until something is scheduled or somethings actually done, Stotts said after Saturdays 135-90 loss to the?Golden State Warriors.ddddddddddddEzeli, 27, signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Trail Blazers last summer. The second year of the contract is a team option.Ezeli missed all of his first training camp with the Blazers, as well as exhibition play, after recovering from offseason knee injections that included a bone marrow aspirate.A 7-footer from Vanderbilt, Ezeli spent his first four seasons in the league with the Warriors. He missed the entire 2013-14 season following surgery on his right knee and missed six weeks last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.Ezeli has traveled with the team the past few weeks but has not spoken to the media about his condition.Information from The Undefeateds Marc J. Spears and The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '