• Premier League

Carroll defends conduct after De Gea challenge

Andy Carroll has defended his conduct, after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted the West Ham striker should have been sent off during their Premier League draw on Wednesday.

Carroll raised some eyebrows for his conduct during the match at Upton Park, with a clash with United goalkeeper David de Gea shortly before half-time invoking the ire of Ferguson.

But the former Newcastle forward insisted he did nothing wrong.

"I just went for the ball and obviously went through De Gea, but I just went for the ball and that's all it was," Carroll told Sky Sports. "I was running straight in trying to get the ball and couldn't stop at that moment, obviously the keeper has come and won it and I couldn't stop when I was flying through the air."

Carroll was an active presence throughout the contest, getting involved in numerous aerial tussles with Nemanja Vidic - and, at one point, exchanging words with England team-mate Wayne Rooney.

The on-loan Liverpool striker said he enjoyed the physical nature of the contest.

"It was great, a tough battle, I enjoyed every minute and getting stuck in, getting a few elbows and giving a few. It's all part of the game," said Carroll.

He added: "It was a bit of friendly banter with me and Wazza."

Carroll's long-term future remains the subject of much doubt, and the striker acknowledged that he does not yet know whether his current loan with the Hammers will ultimately become a permanent deal in the summer.

He said: "I've loved every minute and the lads have been great, the fans have been excellent and I am just carrying on going until the end of the season.

"We will just have to wait and see what happens."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.