Fair enough, still don't agree. Schweini never really played a classic box to box role next to a deeper sitting partner. He always did the build-up from deep, often dropped between the centerbacks and I don't see how Carrick has done that better than him. Schweinsteiger was clearly the deeper playing midfielder next to van Bommel/Khedira/Kroos. Even next to Gustavo and Martinez he was usually behind them in the build-up. He offers more going forward, is more mobile and physical than Carrick, so a more disciplined partner like Martinez gave him an even better platform to shine and influence the game all over the pitch as it was next to gung-ho, headless chicken Khedira or in a 3 man midfield with Kroos and Özil.
But Schweinsteiger's prefered and best role clearly is one where he has the whole game in front of him and he's the one dictating the play between defense and attack. It was one of the reasons why he never found his place at Bayern last season. He came into the team after a long injury break and Alonso had that role, who is incredibly dominant on the ball himself, needs the game running through him. Carrick is quite happy to share that area or play 2nd fiddle in the build-up, just like he did next to Scholes. That's why Schweinsteiger and Carrick together can work. Schweini + Alonso on the other hand was a clusterfeck, way too similar in how they want to play the game.
So I really think that:
is a pretty accurate description. And that's no slight on Carrick at all, he has been fantastic in his role. But Bastian can play the disciplined deep role just as good and additionally offers even more.
