Went back in time a couple of years today, hopefully he can keep injury-free while Blind is out.
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He had that aura about him today that you used to get when watching Pirlo or Xavi. Just a masterful performance and everyone on the pitch knew it.
Excellent once again. Back to his best.
Too many were silly to write him off based on last season. Last season was a freak. I bet even the tea lady had a 'mare.
Too many were silly to write him off based on last season. Last season was a freak. I bet even the tea lady had a 'mare.
The quiet engine ticks over smoothly.
I guess people will realize now what Gary was talking about when he pointed out Blind's deficiencies on MNF. Carrick's passing, positioning and calmness has made a marked difference from the beginning of the season with Blind playing there.
Blind is a very good player, a huge upgrade on Cleverley or Anderson or Fletcher, but he is no Carrick.
Blind is a very good player, a huge upgrade on Cleverley or Anderson or Fletcher, but he is no Carrick.
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World class performance. That was a vintage Michael Carrick display.
Perfect for van Gaal's system if we can avoid further injuries.
Perfect for van Gaal's system if we can avoid further injuries.
Michael Carrick went in today. Everything he did was on point. Very pleased to have him back.
All of this.
A few years ago we had Scholes pulling the strings with Hargreaves/Fletcher/Carrick/Cleverley as the more mobile midfielders winning the ball back and giving him time on the ball to spray it about, Carrick fulfilled that role superbly today. The combination for the van Persie header was 12/13 standard from both. I gave him MOTM.
Delighted he has come back in his best form. Looks like the player of a few years ago. I was concerned for him after missing pre-season that he would never really get up and running this year.
Class. Getting back to his best.
That's what he's capable of when he has a bit of time on the ball and good movement ahead of him. Brilliant performance.
Blind can learn so much from Carrick. I hope he can keep this up and stay for at least another year.
Always felt he'd be better in a holding role, dictating tempo from deep, rather than the midfield 2 Fergie always put him in. World class today, and we've really missed his passing and experience this season.
He's better than Blind. Less mobile/energetic but has a better positional sense and his passing is a lot sharper (he fizzes them in with a lot more pace and the same accuracy).
Unsurprisingly, he plays very well when at the base of midfield surrounded by energy. He was somewhat shafted last season. We'd sometimes be playing two central defenders dead deep, a flat two man midfield, unsupported by Rooney and Van Persie standing on eachothers' toes with massive gaps all over the park. Surround him with bodies in midfield and a bit of energy and we'll still get a couple of good seasons out of him.
MOTM today, still our best midfielder.
he was very good today, good distribution and great defensively. He benefits a lot from the diamond and having more midfielders in front of him. Still there is no reason not to buy his replacement as he has 2 years left. Have to add this - It is a true Herrera just makes players around him play much better
We already have his replacement in Blind, i think.
I agree with all of this but a one or two things Blind has over Carrick is the fact he can play well under pressure, and under this pressure he always seeks to play forward. Maybe it's a Dutch, international 'school-of-football' like thing that is pretty inherent from a young age. If he becomes half as good as Carrick at Carrick's best in the other aspects we'd still have a brilliant footballer.
TBH I dont think Blind is the answer. He is a good footballer but his ceiling is not quite high. He is a good fitting player into this philosophy but I believe we will add some more. But if we stick to this and give a chance to youth I will not argue but we need to aspire to be the best club in the world not only premier league.. I don't believe that Blind is anywhere near to for example Modric/Kroos. But they may not be many players of that class available, that is why we went for Blind until we find our targets. If we wanted him so badly we would buy him right after the world cup.. I like the look of that Lucas Silva guy who was connected with us in the summer form cruzeiro. They added a new video of him on YT recently. It is really good to watch but still it is just YT vid
Some of the posts at the start of this thread...
Carricks one of our most important players, he's integral to the balance of the team and his performance today and his performances since coming back into the team have shown that once again. Should be one of the first names on the team-sheet when fit.
Carricks one of our most important players, he's integral to the balance of the team and his performance today and his performances since coming back into the team have shown that once again. Should be one of the first names on the team-sheet when fit.
Not many people thought Carrick was the answer back in 06.
for me he wasn't the answer after all these year anyway. Our midfield was for 3 years mid-table level for some reason. Carrick being our best CM says it all, meanwhile depending on Scholes at 36 when carrick was arguably at his peak... now we have di María, Herrera, quite a difference don't you think? I love Carras has been a decent player but nowhere near the class some people here think he has been. Anyway Blind is still quite young and his potential even is not that high he can do the job for us and hopefully van Gaal will get the best out of him..
Best game from him in a good while. I thought a lot of players were good, almost everyone. Smalling, Herrera and Rooney stood out, off the top of my head. But Carrick was the reason we dominated so totally. Surprised not to see him as MotM on here.
Yep, this. Applies to a number of players who didn't shine last season.
Early days, but if he puts in a few more showings like this, he should come back into the England squad. At the moment Henderson is Hodgson's best option as the more defensive partner for Wilshere; clearly playing like this Carrick is a much, much better choice.
Yep, this. Applies to a number of players who didn't shine last season.
Early days, but if he puts in a few more showings like this, he should come back into the England squad. At the moment Henderson is Hodgson's best option as the more defensive partner for Wilshere; clearly playing like this Carrick is a much, much better choice.
He was brilliant. Just controlled the match with his excellent passing. If you could combine Blind's energy and mobility with Carrick you would have a superb player. I was one who was unsure about Carrick at the beginning of the season but he shut me up after that performance. Hope it continues.
Watched a game for the first time today at OT and his performance really stood out. His passing range and interceptions can be seen on TV but when watching him play he covers the ground to be in the right place because he anticipates so well. He's one of my favourite players so to catch him on a good day like today was an absolute pleasure.
LVG's style of play suits him down to the ground. It was vintage Carrick.
Whoa.. @MelvinYeo is alive!
I remember in LVG's interview way back when Carrick picked up his injury he seemed particularly irritated. There was a definite sense that he'd expected Carrick to be a key part of his plans. Obviously that's not surprising to those who've watched Carrick, but it makes particular sense given how well he's already performing under LVG.
It'll be a pleasure to have him and Blind competing for a place. Genuine depth of quality in that position.
And when we're playing a top side, Blind and Carrick at the base of a 2-3-1 would provide a fantastic foundation.
Because everyone lives speculative formations:
DDG
Rafael - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick - Blind
Mata - Herrera - Di Maria
Rooney
Rafael - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick - Blind
Mata - Herrera - Di Maria
Rooney
Oh god there's so many options I've missed. Just trying to get Mata and Herrera in the same side for total domination.
If Carrick wasn't English and had a fancier name, he would have been rated so much higher by everyone. Was poor like everyone last season, but he was being asked to be a box to box player which he isn't. Playing the holding role in a 3 man midfield with mobile and technically good midfielders around him could see him have his best season yet, even at his age. Could be like a second prime if you will, like pirlo started a few years ago or like Scholes, just obviously not as good.
Masterclass Michael.
He was just fantastic to watch. The English Pirlo.
Any match compilations yet? I'd love to get one of Carrick from today.
This pass was just sex
This pass was just sex
It baffles me how Engkand ignored him for the last 7 years.
Key midfielder in 5 premier league titles, 1 Champions league win and 3 finals. Exactly the cultured water carrier england cry about not having when they fawn over the Pirlo's and Alonso's of this world and they ignored him so they could play Stevie Me and Fat Frank, two attacking midfielders in a midfield two.
Key midfielder in 5 premier league titles, 1 Champions league win and 3 finals. Exactly the cultured water carrier england cry about not having when they fawn over the Pirlo's and Alonso's of this world and they ignored him so they could play Stevie Me and Fat Frank, two attacking midfielders in a midfield two.
If we can play to his strengths then there's no way he can't do this for another few years. Get a couple of runners either side of him and do what Juve do with Pirlo.
This is exactly why LvG seemed quite concerned when he got injured right at the start of pre season. He was singing his praises right from that moment.
because carrick plays with his skills and his brain, he does not pretend himself to be a hard player, run hard tackle hard and die hard, so he's not rated in english football. if he's playing in continental he can even be a european footballer contender.
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