Michael Carrick proved his importance for Manchester United, but at 35-years-old they need to find a replacement.
Manchester United’s Michael Carrick in action with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku
Michael Carrick has been a forgotten figure under Jose Mourinho this season as the new boss attempts to find a way of playing without him.
The 35-year-old is not a long term solution at Old Trafford, but upon his return to the Red Devils side at Sixfields against Northampton he looked a class apart.
Carrick scored the first goal and demonstrated he can play a bigger role for United this season, but the club can’t simply afford to rely on him.
Manchester United’s Michael Carrick scores their first goal
A younger Carrick could have been a perfect partner to get the best out of world record signing Paul Pogba, for it has become clear in recent games that Marouane Fellaini is not the solution.
United’s priority in the January transfer window or next summer has to be finding a young version of Michael Carrick, one who is approaching his peak, rather than the twilight of his career.
The Sun yesterday linked United with a swoop for 26-year-old Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City, formerly of the club’s academy, and he is certainly a player who would fit the mould.
Jose Mourinho may prefer a bigger name, a talent like Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti perhaps, but he would be tremendously harder to acquire.
Carrick can do a job for United this season, but United shouldn’t expect him to play twice a week, nor should they count on him for next season.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho talks to Michael Carrick during training
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