Michael Carrick has backed Manchester United teammate Robin van Persie to get back to his free-scoring best after breaking his four-game barren spell at the weekend.

The Dutchman netted in Saturday's 3-0 win over Hull City for what was his first goal since hitting a late equaliser against Chelsea in October.

Carrick is now hopeful that the strike helps the 31-year-old - a two-time Golden Boot winner in the Premier League - rediscover his best form.

"We all get criticised at certain times and it's something you have to deal with. The best way to answer it is the way he did it against Hull," the midfielder is quoted as saying by BT Sport.

"Robin scored a great goal and hopefully that will be the start of a good run over the weeks to come."

The Red Devils, who sit fourth in the Premier League table, host Stoke City at Old Trafford tonight.