[acnumber9]

Strange bump.

Herrera and Schneiderlin have been our best two players. It's our attack that has been piss poor.

Our attack has been poor because they're starved of the ball. Our midfield is completely incapable of getting it to them.

 

[Bojan11]

Our attack has been poor because they're starved of the ball. Our midfield is completely incapable of getting it to them.

Rashford loss possession the most in the first half.

So not really. He needs support and Carrick is hardly going to give him that.

 

[acnumber9]

Rashford loss possession the most in the first half.

So not really. He needs support and Carrick is hardly going to give him that.

From punts up the pitch mostly. Carrick can actually pass the ball. That definitely helps.

 

[Leftback99]

When was the last time we played any good football without him?

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Strange bump.

Herrera and Schneiderlin have been our best two players. It's our attack that has been piss poor.

That doesn't mean anything. There's been very few passes in between the lines from our midfielders. Carrick is still one of the best around at doing that.

 

[berbatrick]

Taking him out is anyway not something I like, but having neither Blind nor Carrick means we lose all passing control.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Herrera and Schneiderlin have been our best two players.

Yet, not good enough.

Taking him out is anyway not something I like, but having neither Blind nor Carrick means we lose all passing control.

Spot on.

 

[izec]

Weird that he hasnt played so far

 

[Bwuk]

Still our best midfielder.

No-one else can control a game like him.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Still our best midfielder.

No-one else can control a game like him.

Judging by last season, neither can he. He's largely surviving on his reputation on here I feel.

 

[kunal18]

Judging by last season, neither can he. He's largely surviving on his reputation on here I feel.

He can pass better than any of our other midfielders even in his sleep which is the most important attribute for a midfielder at a top club.
We dont have a player of his calibre at the club who can control games.
He has to be played as much as possible for us to have a good season, else it will be a long one.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

We desperately miss a player like him.

Should be priority number 1 next summer.

 

[Devil may care]

The idea that we don't need to replace him is codswallop, this DM shit only goes so far, one of your CM's needs to be able to control the tempo and use the ball properly, Carrick is still streets ahead in this regard, he just hasn't got the legs anymore and even then his positioning and discipline is missed.

 

[Scholesy]

Hes much older than Schweinsteiger but apparently Basti is the one who is past is?

Either of them should be starting. The midfield we had tonight is unable to control a game.

 

[legball]

I think everyone is right, Carrick is the only midfielder we have who can control a game, and his calming influence in midfield is something we lack. I hope we move for Julian Weigl next summer, he's the only one I know that has the style and talent to match it.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Time to get Michael back in our team.

 

[United22]

This guy is the only fecker who can save the team from falling into the pits. Nothing, I repeat nothing will change until we introduce a true defensive midfielder into our line up who can actually pass the ball

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I'm a massive Carrick fan and defended him for a long time, but he really is on his last legs.

The problem is that we don't have any player who can do what he does. I've suggested Blind, but i'm not sure at all that i trust him as the DM, even though his passing is great.

I can't see any other solution than to play Carrick, with Pogba and Herrera/Fellaini in front of him. Rest him in anything else than the PL and hopefully he will provide us with some much needed playmaking.

Next summer we really have to find someone to take over from him.

 

[Minimalist]

Carrick is on the same road as Rooney. He's not the answer here.

 

[3KDré]

We should have gone for Xhaka to replace him.

 

[Devil may care]

Welcome back!

 

[OneUnited24]

The only player in this team who doesn't look to recycle the ball out wide but pick people out in the middle

 

[Samid]

Start him in the league ffs.

 

[Kag]

Deserves to keep his place. Just make sure he's well protected.

 

[Ash_G]

He won't play like this in every game as there won't be the space but I've said it before, in a 3 he has a lot to offer. If free's him up in the middle, means that others can cover his lack of legs but allow us to make the most of his passing from deep. Would definitely like to see him, herrera and pogba given a go. We'll have to use him somewhat sparingly but I think he can play more than people think.

 

[Unlikely lad]

Still think Pogba-Carrick-Herrera is our best bet for midfield.

 

[berbatrick]

So comforting to see him back.

 

[Witchking]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

 

[Giant Midget]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

Exactly. They started pressing more after the first half an hour and wasn't able to control the game anymore. He's done at the highest level

 

[Annihilate Now!]

When there's time on the ball, he's just pure class.

His passing is still the best at the club

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

Sensible interview from him too.

 

[Snowjoe]

I love him. I swear when we bought him people were questioning him and the money, what a buy he was.

Also I feel like he doesn't shoot very often but he's got a great shot on him and rarely misses the target at least. I always think he should shoot more, but that might be selective memory from me.

 

[Rossa]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

He doesn't need pace, but he would still easily beat Blind in a foot race. His passing and his ability to find space makes him seem almost pedestrian. It's an art.

 

[Bobcat]

Was only Northampton, but when he gets some time and space hes class. Bossed the game from MF

 

[2 man midfield]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

He's surely our best defensive option. Schneiderlin is dump there, Herrera is better further forward, and Pogba doesn't have the discipline to play there.

 

[Rossa]

I love him. I swear when we bought him people were questioning him and the money, what a buy he was.

Also I feel like he doesn't shoot very often but he's got a great shot on him and rarely misses the target at least. I always think he should shoot more, but that might be selective memory from me.

Agree. I thought at once Hargreaves was a much better buy. How wrong was I.

Agree with the shooting part. He actually has a good shot on him.

 

[Bojan11]

He doesn't need pace, but he would still easily beat Blind in a foot race. His passing and his ability to find space makes him seem almost pedestrian. It's an art.

Blinds not as slow as you making him out to be.

 

[Globule]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

I'd be more than happy with Carrick taking Rooney's place.

 

[Kag]

Wow, can't believe all the "start him" posts. He will be a liability in the league. He has no pace and needs time on the ball which the Northampton players gladly gave him.

We already play with 9 outfield players. Can't make it 8 with Carrick starting as well.

You'll get stung but there's some truth to this. He isn't the answer to all our problems, but if we manage him effectively then we can make good use of him.

Plonking him in on Saturday alongside Pogba and Fellaini against a rapid Leicester attack is exactly what we shouldn't be doing, because he'll fall to pieces.

 

[Duafc]

Good words after regarding too much being made over team selections and players having to prove themselves etc.