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comment by x4 (U9335)
A lot of credit goes to the Carrick - Giggs combo for that one! Carrick usually performs well in Europe because he is so effective with that extra time on the ball!
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Semis were against Chelsea

The reason our midfield struggled last season is because they were up against a 3 man midfield. Your praise on Cleverly and Ando combination is premature because they are yet to face a real challenge. In order to win the midfield battle we need a really strong DM or a Scholes esque player but that is another topic. At the moment Carrick is our best hope

semis were against Shalke
quarters were against Chelsea

comment by x4 (U9335)

posted 1 minute ago

Semis were against Chelsea
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Doesn't make a squat of difference, those games were not placed at premier league pace!
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the point still stands

>>His role is more geared towards breaking up play - which i find surprising given his lack of mobility

I don't rate Carrick as much more than a very good squad player for a top4 side but.......

He's positionally excellent. The only thing he's actually class at. He breaks up play by where he is on the pitch, not by tackling or being mobile.

fair

but I do think it's his best quality by a mile and the reason he can be effective for the team.

you could do a lot better in that position full stop, but IMO that's how he adds his value.

Should the perfect midfield combination be Carrick and Clevely??

One defensively minded, shielding the back four and one attacking minded providing more impetus to the attack, both comfortable on the ball and keeping possession.

I like the Ando Cleverly partnership but i do think it leaves our defence a little exposed.

comment by x4 (U9335)


posted 4 hours, 40 minutes ago

I dont think SAF has ever seen him as a playmaker. His role is more geared towards breaking up play - which i find surprising given his lack of mobility
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lack of mobility? Are you serious?

He regularly tops the ground covered in a game out of all United's players, including the Champions League final last season