I said last year you wouldn't win anything with Fletcher as a first choice in CM, let's see how you go this year if Carrick doesn't find his form.
Carrick
- Thread starter Kevin
- Start date
You also said Arsenal would win the league last year, so you'll excuse us if we take your predictions with a pinch of salt.
Out of interest, what made Fletcher more of a first choice CM last season than he was the season before, or the season before that?
Ashley Young was brilliant in 08/09!
How shrewd of you. Did you say the same the year before when Fletcher, as first choice, managed to win the league, CC, WCC and get us to a Champions League final?
Up until last season Carrick/Scholes if available were the first pick in a two-man CM, I'd have said.
Apps 08/09:
Fletcher - 26 league, 42 overall
Carrick - 28 league, 43 overall
Scholes - 21 league, 35 overall
They might not be the most gifted players, but in what is a squad game, I'd say they make a big contribution to our successes over the course of the season - they're bloody effective players when deployed in the right situations.
I don't think any United fans really ever overrate Park, in fairness. And Fletcher's form in the last three years deserves recognition.
I wasn't talking about his passing, it's his defending that let him down
The same park that has a habit of making your lot look silly?
Then again, a gooner would know an ordinary player when he saw one. Denilson, Song, Rosicky, Aluminum, Diaby, Clichy, Bendtner...
What is this 2002? Fletcher has been one of the best all-round central midfielders in Europe for at least two years.
To be fair, he certainly wasn't first choice that season (07/08). In fact, he played so little he thought about asking to leave (to Everton if I remember correctly) as he was behind Scholes, Carrick, Anderson and Hargreaves in the pecking order.
Thankfully he didn't, as he certainly has been first choice in the two seasons since.
He was really good today I thought.
Stood out there in CM. Anderson and Gibson where both way under par.
Stood out there in CM. Anderson and Gibson where both way under par.
I would have kept him on.
Worst decision of the day was bringing him off, SAF needs to regain his ruthless streak!
He's not good enough according to Plan M.
Agreed, was plain to see that Gibson should be brought off.
Good to see him back though he was good today, something like the old Carrick which we'll see once he get a run of games hopefully.
Played today, we created a lot, was taken off, we created nothing.
It's all a fecking enormous coincidence isn't it.
It's all a fecking enormous coincidence isn't it.
best player today with Nani
I was gob-smacked when I saw he'd been taken off.
I thought it was Anderson and Hernandez at first, then realised it was Carrick.
Carrick played well. He should keep his place. Losing patience with Gibson.
I thought it was Anderson and Hernandez at first, then realised it was Carrick.
Carrick played well. He should keep his place. Losing patience with Gibson.
He created one chance. West Brom were completely outplaying us in midfield when he was on the pitch. It was 2-2 when he was taken off. Fergie tried to win the midfield battle by binging on Scholes.
Carrick did ok though but he and Gibson were being completely outplayed. The mistake, in my opinion, was leaving Gibson on. We should have played with Carrick and Scholes.
Can someone point to a game or two where Carrick has singlehandedly grabbed the game by the proverbial scruff or scored a couple of important goals to earn us three points or an important qualification
I'm not being smart, but who cares? He is what he is. I'm not his biggest fan, but when on form he does a good job.
The first goal against Roma in 06/07 at Old Trafford was important, it eased the tension, and eventually allowed us to open the floodgates.
I've long said that that's not enough from the player who is now supposed to be United's main central midfielder.
Show me some Balls, some leadership, some courage and desire. I don't think that's too much to ask.
Never.
Who said he is the main central midfielder though?
Who is then?
So the best example you could think of was when he scored 1 goal in a drubbing 5-6 years ago.
Say's it all really.
I don't really think we have one.
What???
So now that Scholes is gone should Cleverly or maybe Pogba be our main central midfielder.
Again, this says a lot about Carricks lack of character.
He scored 2 actually.
Cleverley and Pogba are not our only two central midfielders bar Carrick.
Scholes was our main midfielder over the last few years. He has only retired. I don't see how Carrick is now being called our main midfielder now all of a sudden, and get slagged off for not being a good enough one.
The midfield will be rotated. Carrick didn't even start against WBA. I'd be looking for one of them to step up and become dominant. I'd be thinking more Anderson though.
Roma!
Why ask this question..... We all know the answer and we all know where this leads!!
And Anderson's? And Fletcher's? And Cleverley's?
I don't understand why Carrick is getting more stick than anyone else.
I didn't ask the question though! I already knew the answer.
Against Wigan away two season ago. Scored a screamer to win us 2 extra points which were decisive in the title victory. Btw, he plays in a defensive midfield position, it's not his fecking job to score goals. How many goals did Makelele score exactly?
Bit of a stupid question that.
Carrick wasn't bought to score goals and "singlehandedly grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck" is such a nebulous concept to judge any footballer by.
If you want to hear about games in which Carrick was a key influence in beating decent opposition in important games, look no further than the knock-out stages of last season's CL.
He's not going to change. Developing leadership qualities was something to maybe to wish for developing when he came here, he hadn't really shown it before but, something to wish for but, he hasn't and SAF seems quite okay with that. People mistake the lack of playing with reckless abandon as lack of desire but, I don't think anyone that has played so often for us can ever be accused to have a lack of desire on the field - certainly not under SAF. I've not really seen any signs of him pulling out of tackles or been afraid to get tackled. So his game isn't about flying into the back of people and sliding all over the field but, that doesn't necessarily make him lack courage.
Many people have wanted him to be at least some semblance of Keane as our main CM but, accept reality - he isn't that type of player. We have other leaders on the field - when he plays, he plays his role well - just not the way we wish him to.
Speaking of - I think he'll start tonight because he will provide a good shield for the young back line, something he has done very well in the years he's been here.
I reckon Carrick and Anderson will start tonight.