Before you look away I’ll just inform you that this not another one of those “Carrick bashing" articles where the author rips into the Manchester United midfielder’s performances and criticizes him heavily.
I, for one have been one of Carrick’s biggest fans since his Tottenham days. His passing, his vision, his positional-sense, his two-footedness and his shooting ability from range made him stand-out in that Tottenham side. He “looked the part" and won many rave reviews and also an England call up for the 2006 World Cup.
But since his 18m transfer to Old Trafford, Carrick has been just one of those players whose opinion among fans has been divided. While some appreciate the discipline and stability (possession wise) he brings to the United midfield, others criticize his conservative approach.
Now I get back to my topic of discussion as to why Carrick will only be a catalyst in Manchester United’s midfield and never be the main ingredient.
Carrick played an integral part in United, reclaiming the title in 2007 and winning the Champions League in 2008. But at the annual awards function 07’, the Premier League team of the year consisted of 8 United players and poor Michael wasn’t on the list.
.........continue reading on http://thefootballaddictblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/carrick-will-always-be-a-catalyst-in-the-manchester-united-midfield-but-never-the-main-ingredient/
Carrick a catalyst, not a main ingredient
posted on 9/9/12
He is awful.
posted on 9/9/12
no he really isn't.
posted on 9/9/12
Carrick is very underrated. He thrives on the movement of players in front of him (Scholes also thrives on the movement of others), hence why particularly in the 06/07 many goals were scored by Saha, Ronaldo, Rooney, because they gave Carrick options up front, but if nobody is making those diagonal runs or getting into positions to make themselves available he does him no favours.
Since 06/07 he has gradually become more of a true CDM and positionally as well as tactically he is much more astute, he certainly makes more interceptions then others around him.
To get the best out of Carrick he must be paired with players comfortable with the ball and aware of space around them, a Scholes of course or an Anderson (that may surprise a few but Ando's passing has improved and his awareness is very very good). Carrick thrives on two things, movement from the forwards and a partner to 'circulate' the possession of the ball.
In an era of football where the control of 'space' is more apparent/important then ever, Carrick controls the space around him as good as anyone in Europe.
posted on 9/9/12
Alex Song is a liability glad he's gone no surprise our midfield have helped our defence thus keeping 3 clean sheet
Even so just watching Carrick live his one/two touch passing, control/movement he's a special player imo
posted on 9/9/12
Gutted we didn't sign him from Pompey we were a pen away from signing him, we pulled out last min he joined Spurs
posted on 9/9/12
I always felt like Carrick was/is an Arsenal type player. I think if he had gone to Arsenal they would have maybe won something in the past 7 years. Wenger has admitted his regret in not signing him when he had the chance.
His style is not a typical Man Utd style midfielder but he is such an 'aware' player that he can get away with it.
posted on 9/9/12
comment by Saìn† Noah (U7307)
posted 16 minutes ago
Song is a great player.
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He's a terrible defensive midfielder, can pick a pass tho
posted on 9/9/12
Namaste Pranav
posted on 9/9/12
He is good, not a 'great' player. If he played the way he did vs QPR, Chelsea in CL, Roma, Shalke a little more often, then he'd be in that bracket.
posted on 9/9/12
But seeing those kinds of performances kinda take your breath away and is what makes me love him.