Manchester United will need Michael Carrick to be at his best if they are to achieve this season.
When last season kicked off, it was a young midfield of Tom Cleverley and Anderson who were making waves for United.
Michael Carrick was left watching on from the bench, perhaps wondering what might become of him after a disappointing 2010/11.
But the Cleverley-Anderson flame burnt itself out, affected by injuries, and it was left to Carrick to carry on the mantle and tighten the midfield up.
For in the early fixtures for United their attacking quality was immense, but they were far too open, as shown when they beat Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford but allowed the Blues 20 shots on goal.
Carrick was on the bench for that one even though Cleverley was injured by that point, and so he was promptly recalled to the squad, as United went for a more back-to-basics approach which saw them yield successive 1-0 wins over Swansea and Everton.
That change almost sums up the Carrick dilemma, by including him in the side, United may stifle a bit of their creative zeal, but they hand themselves a more solid base from which to keep the midfield ticking over.
The midfielder went from strength to strength last season and had his best campaign in three years, winning praise from supporters who were beginning to question his future.
Sir Alex Ferguson is clearly impressed, as he has taken the ‘evolution not revolution’ approach when it comes to remodelling Manchester United’s midfield.
The signing of Shinji Kagawa offers United different options from an attacking point of view, but a deep lying midfielder such as Carrick will be essential in keeping and providing the possession the Japanese sensation requires to make an impact. Carrick’s 90 per cent pass completion accuracy from last season shows he can do just that/
He may be 31, but he has the potential to get better with age, and refreshed from a summer without international distraction he will begin the season raring to go.
Fans may like to see him add a bit of zip and further productivity to his game in terms of goals and assists, and they are right that he can and perhaps should add more. But the point about Carrick is that by doing the largely unnoticed elements in midfield, he allows others to take the plaudits.
New signings may arrive, and if he brings his ‘A game’, and allows them to flourish – plus add in the quality of Paul Scholes, youthfulness of Cleverley, and unpredictability of Anderson, then United may just find themselves with a winning formula once again.
With Fletcher out, Carrick currently looks more irreplaceable than ever, and this should be a scenario the player should relish.
image: © marcel sigg
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