I know that this type of article has been done to death, especially since Sunday, but I dont understand why Michael Carrick hasnt started a league game this season. In Europe, he is normally always one of our best players, despite the stick he gets from our own fans. But at the moment, the fans are crying out for some protection in that midfield, something Carrick offers. He's disciplined, and would protect that back four in a way neither Anderson or Fletcher do. He just tidily goes about his business, retains possession and allows the more creative players further up the pitch to make and score the goals.
Too often, we have been too open this season, and when we lose the ball, the opposition are running at a back four with everyone else caught upfield. With Carrick, this wouldnt happen, and I am hoping to see a partnership of Carrick and Cleverley in the middle soon once Cleverley is fully fit again
Central Midfield
posted on 27/10/11
Giggs ahead of Young ?? Hmmm strange one but I reckon Fergie would go for it, his recent "tactics" have been awful.
posted on 27/10/11
Fergie clearly doesn't rate Carrick, just as most of us don't.
What has happened to Darron Gibson? He has completely disappeared off the scene too.
Tom Cleverley, WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!
posted on 27/10/11
Carrick is just a glorified 5th defender. Of course we let in less goals playing with a fifth defender.
Problem is we dont have anyone in front of him to conduct or create anything in midfield. Saturday our only goal came from our defensive mid (fletch). replacing him with carrick - cud have ended up 6-0!
man for man we probably have about the same standard of 1st team as City (wingers, strikers, defence). But midfield they have Toure and Silva who dck on Crabbick and HollywoodAnderson.
posted on 27/10/11
OP
I totally agree with you. I always admired Carrick and what he brings to the team. We sourly missed him(DM) in our recent matches. since SAF doesnt trust him our best hope is to buy a DM ASAP.
posted on 27/10/11
Screen,
Yeah but we wont be buying a DM until January at the earliest and considering Fergie's record, i doubt that too, so why isnt Carrick playing or rather starting games at the moment? I hope he starts on Saturday. I also think he could do a job for England aswell because at international level, similar to Europe, players get a lot more time on the ball and for me, that is when Carrick flourishes most. He would certainly be better than Barry in that team!
posted on 27/10/11
Absolutely
Fletcher doesnt have a positional sense even when se is in top form. Carrick is the only defensive minded DM we got. If SAF doesnt play a DM in 4-4-2 I think 6-1 is not the only hammering we'll get . therefore I hope we'll buy a DM ASAP.
posted on 27/10/11
..............................De Gea..............................
Rafael............Smalling.......Vidic...............Fabio
...............................Carrick....................................
...................Cleverly.............Anderson..............
............Nani....................................Young..........
................................Rooney.................................
Evra needs to be dropped.
To the poster who said 'Carrick is just a 5th defender', excuse me but the operative word in DEFENSIVE midfielder is defensive.
People are forgetting that Cleverly is inexperienced. A 2man midfield of Clev/Carrick would put too much pressure on Clev to dictate the midfield as Carrick is a subtle operator/more subdued, etc. Thus a midfield 3 is required; people who slate Anderson need to remember that it was Anderson and Clev who worked so well in tandem in attack at the beginning of the season. Together, as evidenced earlier in the season, Clev/Ando provide good support to our forward line. The problem was we lacked defensive cover, which is where Carrick would come in. Also, by having 3 in midfield, Im confident that we wouldnt get dominated.
Smalling/Jones are not RBs- the RB spot has to be Rafaels now.
Up front, Nani, Roo and Young can provide the same sort of fluidity that we saw with Roo/Tevez/Ronaldo and with Roo/Saha/Ronaldo. Im not comparing people to Ronaldo, but IMO Nani on his day is as good as any wide player in the world, and if an out of form injured Torres can command a 50m transfer, then Nani is worth a similar price. He could probably displace Pedro for Barca (controversial I know) but just my opinion.
Young has won over a lot of fans with his pace, deliveries, work ethic, deadballs, and tactical flexibility he provides.
Rooney is capable of leading the line on his own, though he wouldnt necessarily be doing that as the front3 would have a license to roam.
With the defensive cover Carrick provides, Raf/Fab can provide additional width, where in attack we would essentially revert to 3 at the back.
Our squad isnt as bad as people make out. Defence is being mixed up abit too much, attack is fine, midfield we have more options than we appreciate, we just need that tactical balance.
Also, in my formation Welbeck and Hernandez are sacrificed but Welbeck can do a job as a LWF, and both can come on to tear tired defences to shreds in the last half hour.
Berbatov isnt redundant by any means- I would like him to play in the hole supporting Rooney when we revert to 442, as tactically, a 442 with Chich/Welbeck allows the opposition to control the tempo of the game. With Berba in a 442 we would retain the ball better as a team. Long post I know, apologies.
posted on 28/10/11
displace Pedro for Barca (controversial I know) but just my opinion.
==========================
Poor opinion
posted on 28/10/11
elbarto
That's a well balanced set up. I like it. But there are only 3 players in the outfield 10 who are 6ft plus. Smalls, Vida and Carrick. We would struggle on set pieces.
posted on 28/10/11
good article, i like the formation too