Michael Carrick available for Manchester United against Chelsea

Michael Carrick has said he is fit again and hopes to make his comeback for Manchester United against Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday after three months on the sidelines.

The midfielder, an unused substitute in Monday's 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion, underwent ankle surgery in July after suffering ligament damage on the day manager Louis van Gaal arrived at the club.

"It's your worst nightmare as a footballer to be out for so long, and this is the longest I have ever been out," he told United's official website.

"I have never really had to deal with big injuries before, so this was something new for me.

"The timing of the new manager coming in and me getting injured on that first day wasn't ideal, but that is something I have got over. I am back training now and looking forward to getting amongst the boys again and becoming a footballer again."

In the 33-year-old's absence, Van Gaal signed Dutchman Daley Blind, who has occupied Carrick's role as United's holding midfielder.

The former Ajax man scored the equaliser against Albion, meaning United have only lost one of their last five games, and Carrick believes the remodelled side is getting better by the game.

He added: "We are confident. We go into any match confident that we can get the right result.

"We are still learning each other's games because it is a pretty new squad with new signings and a new manager. It is progressing in the right way -- we feel we are improving all the time.

"We are getting better and there are good signs to show that, if we stick at it, then there are good times to come. We go into every match positive, and we have certainly got the firepower to cause a lot of teams problems."

Chelsea are yet to lose this season and are 10 points ahead of United, drawing praise from Carrick.

"You can't help but be impressed," he said. "They have got a good balance at the moment and they look really strong at the back.

"They have a great back five, a good mix in midfield and going forward they look dangerous. Put all of that together and it makes a pretty decent team.

"That has shown in their results, which have been strong so far. That's why they are sitting where they are. You have to respect them. You appreciate quality and you appreciate what they give. They have rightly been praised, because their performances have warranted just that."