LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Carrick praises Manchester City star, admits it ‘hurts’ to talk so highly about him

Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Michael Carrick has told PLP’s Matchday Extra that Manchester City have a “wonderful” and “frightening” player in Kevin De Bruyne – but the Manchester United icon admits it hurts to praise the Belgian so highly.

De Bruyne, 30, arguably produced his best performance of the season on Sunday evening as Manchester City ushered aside Carrick’s old club United easily – winning 4-1 at the Etihad. De Bruyne scored twice, and created one.

The ex-Chelsea man has not been at his best, but still producing some wonderful form this season. If City are to keep Liverpool at bay come the end of the campaign – they will need De Bruyne back to his best.

On Sunday, De Bruyne was certainly at his best. Some of his passes, his runs into the box, and of course his goals and assist made him an easy pick for man of the match. Carrick was full of praise for the experienced midfielder.

“He has such variety to his game. He can play all across the front, or in midfield. He has so many attributes, it is frightening. When they need him there, he’s there. He’s always in the right position.

“He’s the one they will give that bit of freedom to. A wonderful player. For me, as a big United fan, to speak about a City player, it hurts a little bit,” Carrick said about De Bruyne, on Monday evening.

Carrick on De Bruyne: Manchester City star could be the difference

Liverpool are on fire at the moment. The Reds are producing result after result and it shows no signs of slowing down come the end of the season. Manchester City have been iffy, but on Sunday, they were back to their best.

That might be, because De Bruyne took it up a notch. His performance against United was near-perfect and if he can replicate that form going into the final few months of the season, City will surely stave off the threat.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City takes on Jadon Sancho of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images