Talksport are currently having a debate about whether Scholes and Carrick should just be parachuted in as our centre midfield for the Euros. Probably one of the more valid debates they've ever had and I'm interested to see what fellow fans think - Arsenal included because they tend to appreciate good football and shouldn't be biased considering only Wilshire could conceivably make the Euros and if he does I'd be all for that anyway - it's the likes of Barry, Parker, Gerard and Lampard that worry me.
Anyway, to the subject, obviously it's unlikely Scholes would agree to go, and Carrick seems to be being ignored by the national set up for some reason, but here is an ideal two to solve the English midfield problem once and for all. Two players who know each others game, can control the centre of the park defensively and trigger attacks and are playing for the best team in the country.
The bottom line is that Scholes and Carrick have been the basis for us winning the league since January. They would be welcomed in to most top teams in the world and they are English. How anyone could prefer to have Barry, Parker, Lampard or Gerard ahead of those two is beyond me but lets' see what the masses think.
Scholes and Carrick
posted on 11/4/12
Wilshire making this euro team will be one of those really dumb things england national teams like to do. Rooney, beckham etc all put into a position of importance while a) not being fit and b) not being that good to demand such importance.
The popular belief is uniteds midfield is poor. This has become a mantra people readily believe. If lampard and gerrard at present form can make this team, if barry or milner are likely starters on this team then carrick and scholes, considering their record and consistency for the top team in the league, they should be top picks in my opinion.
posted on 11/4/12
Its all well and good that Scholes and Carrick have been successful in premier league this season. But incase you haven't noticed, England wont be playing in the Premier League this summer, they will be in the Euro's, against European teams, who will play a continental style of football. Something which this season has proven that Carrick and Scholes are not very good at dealing with.
Just my thoughts
posted on 11/4/12
Scholes hasn't played in Europe this season for one. And the argument that they haven't performed in Europe is somewhat floored when you consider the alternatives, who have not only not performed in Europe but also failed to deliver in their own domestic league - with the exception of Parker who can throw his body about at any level.
posted on 11/4/12
Something which this season has proven that Carrick and Scholes are not very good at dealing with.
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Scholes missed the entire CL campaign and about half hour of the europa league.
They might be "just your thoughts" but unfortunately, they are not very good ones.
posted on 11/4/12
Im sorry to have offended you both, I cant say that I follow Manchester United team selections for all their games, I kind of assumed they had been the central pairing for your European games this calender year, sorry if I was wrong.
Moving on, bar some miracle, this Euro's is a write off in terms of England winning the trophy itself, so I don't see the point of putting two old midfielder's (37 and 30?) into the team, thus denying younger players tournament experience.
I only hope that the next England manager has the balls to drop all of the older players, start with all youngsters, and start building a team for Brazil 2014.
posted on 11/4/12
The last time Lampard played amazingly in an England shirt was the undeserved loss to France in the group stages of Euro 2004. He scored a great header and played very well.
Sorry but even as a Spurs fan I can tell you nay sayers that Carick is a very good midfielder who can pick a pass much better than Gerrard at the moment and can keep possession better than Barry and Lampard.
Lampard has been useless in an england shirt for 8 years now, excellent for Chelsea, useless for England.
posted on 11/4/12
The popular belief is united's midfield is poor.
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I don't think it's that it's poor per-se, but that it lacks creativity (without scholes), which normally comes from the wings. As far as ball retention and keeping things ticking over those two are as good as any, but scholes won't be able to play 90mins of international football, and would carrick be taking up a space in that midfield, which should be filled by a more creative player? Still, I take him, and play him over barry or lampard, but I don't see it happening.
posted on 11/4/12
Scholes on ability alone would be first choice. But in the Euro's teams play once every 3 or 4 days if I am not mistaken, and this is something Scholes just cannot do. He struggles to play once a week for United. The only way it may be useful is to have him in the squad to see out the last third of games (winning or losing, he's the perfect man to bring on), but is it really worth putting him in over someone who can play regularly?
As for Carrick, he probably wont end up going, which is an absolute mystery to me. Bar Wilshere who is injured, he's the best CM England have.
posted on 11/4/12
The way they've clicked since Scholes's return has been amazing and when one has been absent, we have played markedly worse. I would be in favour of England having this as the midfield for the Euros but it's very unlikely.
posted on 11/4/12
The sad state of affairs is that half an hour from Scholes in every game would be better than everything we have to offer over 90 minutes. Gerard and Lampard have had their chance and should realistically be given no other opportunities but will be. The rest - Barry, Parker etc - just don't have the creativity. There is no one else.