Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Manchester United ace Michael Carrick is the best midfielder in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old has established himself as a prominent figure in a United side that had enjoyed a six-game winning streak, before drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Manager Louis van Gaal also named him vice-captain to Wayne Rooney, and Ferguson, who brought the Englishman to Old Trafford in 2006, says that nobody controls a midfield better than Carrick.

"I think Michael's the best central midfielder in English football," the legendary Scot told BT Sport. "I think he's the best English player in the game."

Van Gaal's side sit third in the table, 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and three clear of fifth-placed Southampton.