[criticalanalysis]

I like this Carrick playing with passion and being pro-active. I think the lack of games at the beginning of the season lit a fire in his belly.

Long may it continue.

 

[bosnian_red]

Schneiderlin could easily be his replacement. He's got the legs too. But no manager of ours seems to fancy him.

Schneiderlin doesn't have anywhere near the intelligence on the pitch and ability on the ball that Carrick has. And those 2 points are basically what makes Carrick, Carrick. He can control games for us in midfield while also holding the midfield and defence as a solid unit, snuffing out attacks before they begin, not so much by him charging down the ball, but shutting down passing lanes and forcing the oppo just to play little side passes. Schneiderlin is a lot more of a defensive mid that wants to get in your face, but he's got nowhere near the composure Carrick does.

So yeah, no. Definitely not. Schneiderlin is just average while Carrick is class.

 

[kafta]

He makes the whole team tick. I wish he was subbed off yesterday, we need him in the league.

 

[Bobcat]

Schneiderlin doesn't have anywhere near the intelligence on the pitch and ability on the ball that Carrick has. And those 2 points are basically what makes Carrick, Carrick. He can control games for us in midfield while also holding the midfield and defence as a solid unit, snuffing out attacks before they begin, not so much by him charging down the ball, but shutting down passing lanes and forcing the oppo just to play little side passes. Schneiderlin is a lot more of a defensive mid that wants to get in your face, but he's got nowhere near the composure Carrick does.

So yeah, no. Definitely not. Schneiderlin is just average while Carrick is class.

Agreed.

The problem though is that Carrick is a very rare breed of player. DM's with that amount of technique and tactical nous simply don't come around to often and i think we will be very hard pressed to find a similar replacement.

I've seen Schneiderlin mentioned. Tbh,he was really good at times at Soton and he is a french international so i do hope he steps up, but i still think we should keep our eyes open and look for other options once Carrick retires.

 

[pacifictheme]

Carrick makes the things he do look simple, but the fact is not many players can do what he does.

The old classic of the average football fan not understanding what he does, so assumes he isn't playing well.

(Not you, the bloke you replied to).

 

[Dobbs]

The old classic of the average football fan not understanding what he does, so assumes he isn't playing well.

(Not you, the bloke you replied to).

Whenever a poster doesn't rave about him you always see the same reply..."you don't understand what he does." It's become a bit of a cliché now.

 

[acnumber9]

Schneiderlin could easily be his replacement. He's got the legs too. But no manager of ours seems to fancy him.

Except he can't pass the ball anywhere near as well and his positional sense is non existent. So yeah he could replace him but he could he replaced with any inferior player. It just wouldn't make us very good.

 

[villain]

He rarely needs to take more than 2 or 3 passes every possession, he gets the ball, then he gives it, often creating space for others. Classy player.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

Whenever a poster doesn't rave about him you always see the same reply..."you don't understand what he does." It's become a bit of a cliché now.

Yeah, it was not a very constructive post, sorry.

It can easily get unnoticed how important his passing between the lines is, it makes it easier for us to find a way through the middle when you have a player like Carrick finding those passes in to one of the attackers feet.

He is so comfortable in his own ability with the ball, where as with a player like Schneiderlin as the DM you would often find it hard to advance the ball out of the middle and in to the final third.

I do think some people underrate Carrick because of his non-aggressive style on the pitch. He doesn't score a lot and he isn't the type of player to make a long chase for a tackle. He doesn't have to with his clever positioning and his business when on the ball is to get it further forward, but not neccessarily join the attack himself.

Easily my favourite player, it's just magical to see him control a game.

 

[Camilo]

If carrick was the age we bought him at and had his career now with no Scholes lamps or gerard, I think many outside of utd fans would actually realise the world class talents he has.

Criminally underrated

I actually think he's rated higher by other fans than he is by us. Many of my European friends name Carrick as the best England and United player, even still. He's very highly thought of all over Europe.

Thought he was great last night. In games we're going to dominate and expect to win, he has to start. In tougher matches, not so sure these days.

 

[Sensei]

That's why the one signing we are yet to actualize is finding his successor now and let him develop into the role while we still have the boss for a couple of years..

 

[Dobbs]

Yeah, it was not a very constructive post, sorry.

It can easily get unnoticed how important his passing between the lines is, it makes it easier for us to find a way through the middle when you have a player like Carrick finding those passes in to one of the attackers feet.

He is so comfortable in his own ability with the ball, where as with a player like Schneiderlin as the DM you would often find it hard to advance the ball out of the middle and in to the final third.

I do think some people underrate Carrick because of his non-aggressive style on the pitch. He doesn't score a lot and he isn't the type of player to make a long chase for a tackle. He doesn't have to with his clever positioning and his business when on the ball is to get it further forward, but not neccessarily join the attack himself.

Easily my favourite player, it's just magical to see him control a game.

That's the real issue, when Carrick isn't there you have that huge drop in quality to his replacement. If Smalling is out Jones comes in. It's broadly like for like. To go from Carrick to Schneiderlin will just never work.

Personally I'd just get the lad from Sporting, Carvalho (probably not the correct spelling). Haven't watched loads of him but every time I do he looks ideal in that role. As close as you'll get to Carrick anyway.

 

[Litch]

Carrick is no easy replacement but I actually believe we already have a player in Blind that could play there.

 

[Escobar]

I just hope he can start the game on Sunday. Him, Herrera and Pogba in midfield is by far the best option right now

 

[Norris]

probably a very unpopular opinion but i still think he is the best midfielder in the club.

It's hardly unpopular. I am sure many share the same view, including myself.

 

[Donut]

Carrick is no easy replacement but I actually believe we already have a player in Blind that could play there.

Yep. I actually can't think of any other player that is as similar to Carrick as is Blind.

 

[Summit]

I think Mourinho now realises what an important player he is for us, after his initial stage of playing about with Fellaini.

 

[jem]

What a player this man is. It's been said before, but we will truly appreciate his greatness when he's finally finished. One of Fergie's best buys.

 

[Floyd]

Blind has showed nothing to suggests he might cut it in midfield in the PL. The few times he's played there he's got overrun way too many times, and he's not got enough time on the ball play his killer passes. At CB he's got all the time in the world to ping his passes around to great effect.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong but I just don't see it.

 

[pacifictheme]

Whenever a poster doesn't rave about him you always see the same reply..."you don't understand what he does." It's become a bit of a cliché now.

Almost as cliche as the "i (don't really understand top flight football) don't rate him as he isn't dynamic enough." and all that other nonsense.

Don't get me wrong i don't really understand it either, but we play far better when he starts and you never hear top pros say he's over rated.

 

[K2K]

I just don't get why he wasn't more involved in our games up until recently. We would be top-4 if that was the case. Well at least Jose has realized this, just as he did with Mata, and soon to come Micky.

Because Jose played him in a midfield two.He looked poor in that to be fair.

This formation suits him though.

 

[darioterios]

Because Jose played him in a midfield two.He looked poor in that to be fair.

This formation suits him though.

I wouldn't really call the midfield in this match a midfield three? and it was with Fellaini he played in Community Shield?

 

[Šjor Bepo]

It's hardly unpopular. I am sure many share the same view, including myself.

It looks like that after a good couple of games but give him a one or two games where we lose and it will became unpopular.....he was always underrated

I think he is our best player along with DeGea

agree with that as well.

 

[Jaybomb]

Schneiderlin doesn't have 1/10 of the passing ability Carrick. Even Fellaini is a better passer than him simply for the fact Fellaini isn't a complete coward and makes himself available for the ball.

Thats nonsense. Schneiderlin hasn't had a run of games at United but at Southampton, he was probably the best CDM in the league at the time. Next to Matic.

Carrick is a good servant for us but the way some of our fans make out that hes some midfield messiah in the mold of Pirlo or Busquets is a bit cringey to be honest. I'd argue the win percentage with Carrick in the side is purely coincidental. Schneiderlin had a similar percentage last season I remember.

 

[Impulse]

Schneiderlin didn't play as a CDM for Southampton, that was Wanyama's job.

 

[DWelbz19]

Schneiderlin didn't play as a CDM for Southampton, that was Wanyama's job.

He did before Wanyama signed. He's in no way a Carrick replacement though. Will probably leave the club before Carrick does too.

 

[Impulse]

Didn't Cork play the DM role before Wanyama?

 

[Litch]

Blind has showed nothing to suggests he might cut it in midfield in the PL. The few times he's played there he's got overrun way too many times, and he's not got enough time on the ball play his killer passes. At CB he's got all the time in the world to ping his passes around to great effect.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong but I just don't see it.

There's a lot of similarities in their play and whilst I'm not suggesting Blind is of the same quality he's equally a very clever footballer. Its funny how some fans have selective memories as the amount of criticism Carrick got on here was ridiculous, but now people think he should start every game!!!! I guess we all can function better with the benefit of hindsight.

 

[Giant Midget]

Thats nonsense. Schneiderlin hasn't had a run of games at United but at Southampton, he was probably the best CDM in the league at the time. Next to Matic.

Carrick is a good servant for us but the way some of our fans make out that hes some midfield messiah in the mold of Pirlo or Busquets is a bit cringey to be honest. I'd argue the win percentage with Carrick in the side is purely coincidental. Schneiderlin had a similar percentage last season I remember.

Regardless of Schneiderlin's quality (which I don't think he has), he's still a completely different type of player than Carrick. Carrick is a defensive shield who sits in front of the back four, covers passing lanes and intercepts the ball, while also setting the tempo with his clever passing.

Schneiderlin is a pressing machine, he uses his stamina to close down the ball across the midfield. He's never been one to sit in front of the back four, that was Wanyama'a job at Southampton. He's more like Fletcher of 08/09, rather than Carrick.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Schneiderlin doesn't have anywhere near the intelligence on the pitch and ability on the ball that Carrick has. And those 2 points are basically what makes Carrick, Carrick. He can control games for us in midfield while also holding the midfield and defence as a solid unit, snuffing out attacks before they begin, not so much by him charging down the ball, but shutting down passing lanes and forcing the oppo just to play little side passes. Schneiderlin is a lot more of a defensive mid that wants to get in your face, but he's got nowhere near the composure Carrick does.

So yeah, no. Definitely not. Schneiderlin is just average while Carrick is class.

That's true in terms of the abilty but it's about systems and partnerships on the pitch. Carrick knows his role and ability in this Utd set up.

Schneiderlin could very well do what Kante is doing for Chelsea or Dier at Spurs or Coquelin at Arsenal. Being a terrier in front of the defence, a ball recycler and when he's got enough games and confidence up his sleeve, occassionally be an 'offensive' threat himself as a ball carrier, making late runs etc.

Of course you 'lose' Carrick's qualities but you 'gain' more ball winning and faster game transitions, which might equal more opportunities for the likes of Herrera/Pogba etc to move the ball faster to the attackers and isolate their defenders etc.

That's something to think about and I would like for Mourinho to develop this aspect tactically when we have a capable player like Schneiderlin.

 

[Jaybomb]

Regardless of Schneiderlin's quality (which I don't think he has), he's still a completely different type of player than Carrick. Carrick is a defensive shield who sits in front of the back four, covers passing lanes and intercepts the ball, while also setting the tempo with his clever passing.

Schneiderlin is a pressing machine, he uses his stamina to close down the ball across the midfield. He's never been one to sit in front of the back four, that was Wanyama'a job at Southampton. He's more like Fletcher of 08/09, rather than Carrick.

Schneiderlin can and has played both roles. Just like Fletcher did.

 

[jeepers]

I like Schneiderlin and want him to succeed but he plays a bit like a headless chicken more often than not. He has shown glimpses of quality (can't remember specific moments). I've no idea if it's a mentality issue or confidence issue though.

Blind could be another option to eventually replace Carrick too. Reads the game well, good range of passing, always looking to pass forward and is composed. I'm not sure about the physicality, and while Carrick isn't a physical specimen himself, he's still above Blind in that aspect imo.

I actually like Strootman. He's more aggressive. Seems to have a good range of passing too and defends well. Too bad his knees are fecked.

 

[Giant Midget]

Schneiderlin can and has played both roles. Just like Fletcher did.

Lol, if you honestly think Schneiderlin has
similar passing and positional ability to Carrick then I don't think I can argue any further.

 

[Mani]

We never have player from our current squad to replace Carrick,Blind passing range is good but will be physically overrun when played in the MF and doubt his positional ability to smell the danger. Schneiderlin completely different, player with limited ability and he's not the player who will fill into Carrick's shoe.

 

[Yagami]

Blind has showed nothing to suggests he might cut it in midfield in the PL. The few times he's played there he's got overrun way too many times, and he's not got enough time on the ball play his killer passes. At CB he's got all the time in the world to ping his passes around to great effect.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong but I just don't see it.

I'm a huge Blind fan and would love to see him given the chance as our deep playmaker alongside Pogba and Herrera at some point but I can see where you're coming from. To be fair to Blind, the times he was used in CM were at the start of his tenure here whilst he was still adjusting to United and the league itself. He's since, in my opinion, gone on to really settle at both here and England, and I think he could potentially do well there.

Thinking about it, I can't remember the last time he played in midfield. Maybe the 14/15 season? I'm not outright saying he'd be a success there as I agree with you in that the deficiencies of his play might be a problem, but I'd still like to see him given a shot now that he's adjusted here.

 

[JohnnyLaw]

I'm a huge Blind fan and would love to see him given the chance as our deep playmaker alongside Pogba and Herrera at some point but I can see where you're coming from. To be fair to Blind, the times he was used in CM were at the start of his tenure here whilst he was still adjusting to United and the league itself. He's since, in my opinion, gone on to really settle at both here and England, and I think he could potentially do well there.

Thinking about it, I can't remember the last time he played in midfield. Maybe the 14/15 season? I'm not outright saying he'd be a success there as I agree with you in that the deficiencies of his play might be a problem, but I'd still like to see him given a shot now that he's adjusted here.

I agree. The amount of times we expected him to get eaten alive at CB coming up against a strong or fast forward it almost never happened last year. In his first season where he was played as a midfielder he was way too rash and would bullrush into situations and get left for dead. Last year he dominated at times as a CB without really standing out, like Maldini said; "if I have to make a tackle i've already made a mistake." This is very much how Carrick operates aswell.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

I actually think he's rated higher by other fans than he is by us. Many of my European friends name Carrick as the best England and United player, even still. He's very highly thought of all over Europe..

Agreed. Have a few friends from Germany and Spain. We had a boozy chat about the plight of United. It was agreed that only DDG and Carrick could play for Barca and not look painfully out of their depth.

It's not that we agreed and argued this point. It was that we had a concensus about those two with zero argument. We spoke for ages about other players merits but those two were a lock.

 

[unimaginative_name]

Whenever Carrick doesn't play we look hopeless, he should feature in every league match. Can't believe he is not featuring today.

 

[JB08]

Would he have really helped us today?

 

[ivaldo]

Would he have really helped us today?

Of course not, we have created heaps of chances and conceded sod all, all whilst dominating the ball. But he's the golden boy at the moment.