[bosnian_red]

Was good again but definitely looked a tiny bit leggy. Don't forget that he was out for 4 months with an ankle injury, didn't have a pre season, and only recently started to be in the first 11, so you can't expect him to be at the top level every single game just yet, especially as it'll take him longer to recover from injuries because of his age. Adds so much composure though.

I don't actually see any comments about him being played as our captain by van Gaal today.. does that sign something? I mean there was Van Persie on the pitch wo wore the armband before.. MAybe van Gaal was prepared to bench Van Persie as his form was awful and is still average.. Carrick did good but needs a lot more of movement around him..

Remember reading that Van Gaal was considering making Carrick the club captain but he got injured just at the start for 4 months, so it was risky to give it to him with the uncertainty of how he'll come back. Also Rooney has been very good so it made that easier.

 

[ricky-romeo]

He's what England need at their base.

i'm happy if he kept on getting snub by the England manager though. the last thing he needs as a 32 year old is international commitment.

got to say we are much better when carrick is pulling all the strings from midfield. hope he can carry on for the next few years at the very least.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

A Manchester United great, absolutely no doubt.

 

[NextSeason]

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

About time he got some recognition.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

A Manchester United great, absolutely no doubt.

Agreed.

Was always a big fan of his before everyone went nuts about him (understandably) during Fergie's last season. But when you take a look at the time he has been at the club and just how good he has been, he really has been great for us. Still has a lot to offer too.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The big worry is how we replace him. I'm guessing Van Gaal has his eye on Strootman for exactly that reason.

 

[syrian_scholes]

One of my favorite players who are still with the club alongside Rafael, I love everything about the guy and hope he stays at the club for a few more years and hopefully get a role after retierment.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

The big worry is how we replace him. I'm guessing Van Gaal has his eye on Strootman for exactly that reason.

We have that debate every time a long serving or top player leaves. It's pointless in my opinion, just bring in new players who can recreate the role, offer their strengths etc.

 

[JPRouve]

The big worry is how we replace him. I'm guessing Van Gaal has his eye on Strootman for exactly that reason.

In a first time, it probably will be Blind, and we will assess our options from Blind performances.

 

[Devil may care]

The big worry is how we replace him. I'm guessing Van Gaal has his eye on Strootman for exactly that reason.

Not according to those that seem to watch more Roma than me. Carrick is a cultured #6, Strootman was ok in that deeper role for the U21's but apparently has blossomed into LvG's favourite by playing as a box to box CM.

 

[JPRouve]

Not according to those that seem to watch more Roma than me. Carrick is a cultured #6, Strootman was ok in that deeper role for the U21's but apparently has blossomed into LvG's favourite by playing as a box to box CM.

I'm being pedantic, but LVG has nothing to do with that, at PSV Strootman was a box to box, but he was also used as a #6 or #10 when needed. He didn't really "blossomed" under LVG, Van Gaal just used him in his natural position.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Where is Carras? Not saying he is bad, but needs to control the game for us.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Where is Carras?

I'm a fairly big critic of his but if there was one player I was going to be giving any sort of credit too that half it would be him.

 

[Randall Flagg]

Where is Carras? Not saying he is bad, but needs to control the game for us.

Thought he was our best player along with young

 

[Sammyjunn]

Thought he was our best player along with young

Not the hardest task is it? He has been okay tbf, but with him, I'd expect us to control the game a bit more. He usually brings calmness in the team, cant see that today. But he isnt bad unlike Fellaini or Mata.

 

[Devil may care]

My MOTM tonight, in the first half he was the only one we had that could pass it properly and kept digging our CB's out of situations, then he went into the back 3 and somehow guided the woeful Rojo and Jones through that second half.

 

[gooDevil]

I forgot he was on the pitch for most of the game.​

 

[Acole9]

We've looked much better as a team with him back in the side.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

My MOTM tonight, in the first half he was the only one we had that could pass it properly and kept digging our CB's out of situations, then he went into the back 3 and somehow guided the woeful Rojo and Jones through that second half.

Must have been some performance to guide someone who isn't even fit to play!

 

[legball]

He was invisible all night. His inability to handle pressing remains a proble and he's very inconsistent. I'll sooner have Blind in the side, a more forward thinking DM.

 

[Sammyjunn]

He was invisible all night. His inability to handle pressing remains a proble and he's very inconsistent. I'll sooner have Blind in the side, a more forward thinking DM.

Same vs Arsenal (he just came back from injury tho) but he couldnt handle the pressure I got the feeling, but against smaller sides when we have to break down the defence, he is great. His passing range is world class.

 

[Lawman]

Can't play at centre back as he gets to easily exposed down the side of him.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Tell you what, if he was invisible then I don't know who it was clearing up every error in possession from Rojo and Evans.

That 'backseat' role was absolutely necessary. If he was in the thick of the action, those two would've gifted Southampton a hatful of goals.

 

[Shamwow]

Thought he had a great game personally.

 

[Sylar]

If we had Rio / Vidic in their prime in defence, I think Carrick wouldnt have to baby sit our defence as much and would be able to actually show of his range of passing going forward. Thought he oozed class first half with the way he made a lot of what he did look simple. Hardly gave the ball away that i can remember.

 

[legball]

We've looked much better as a team with him back in the side.

No, we haven't.

 

[ZDwyr]

I didn't think he was as good as others are saying. He went back into defence to give us some composure but it didn't work.

 

[bosnian_red]

If you thought he was invisible then you really just didn't watch the same game. He was class tonight as always. Bailed out both Rojo and Evans countless times in the second half, was the only one who was really composed on the ball apart from Van Persie. We've just looked so much better since he came back as a unit, and it's really understated how big of a loss it was having him out injured for 3-4 months at the start of the season. Still one of our most important players.

 

[Devil may care]

Must have been some performance to guide someone who isn't even fit to play!

I meant Evans.

 

[DWelbz19]

I didn't think he was as good as others are saying. He went back into defence to give us some composure but it didn't work.

I agree. He looked slightly above the poor performances of everyone else in midfield to begin with, but he also struggled with the intensity and pressing of Southampton. Didn't do much better for me at CB.

 

[RedStarUnited]

Tell you what, if he was invisible then I don't know who it was clearing up every error in possession from Rojo and Evans.

That 'backseat' role was absolutely necessary. If he was in the thick of the action, those two would've gifted Southampton a hatful of goals.

It annoys me too reading how he was 'invisible' in here. Carrick will forever be the player managers love and divide fans opinion. I bet LVG absolutely loves him, a DM that has a great passing range and can slot back in CB. Even more so considering our CB's cant stay fit to save their lives (Rojo apart).

 

[WR10]

People saying he had a poor performance didn't really watch him. For me he was one of our top 3 players of the game. He was the reason we didn't get humiliated today and you really have to pay attention to him when he plays to understand why. I'm glad players like him get the recognition from the players and the manager rather than the fans, and not the other way around.

 

[Decotron]

He was invisible all night. His inability to handle pressing remains a proble and he's very inconsistent. I'll sooner have Blind in the side, a more forward thinking DM.

We've looked much better as a team with him back in the side.

No, we haven't.

what's wrong with some people?

Blind more forward thinking than Carrick???? I like Blind and think he's done well but if there's one area that Carrick is a level above its his ability to spot a forward run and execute a precise pass. Not exactly sure how anyone could honestly dispute that.

Its funny how many times you read shit like Carrick was invisible last night. He puts out fires before they start with interceptions, positioning and anticipation. Not a centre back but trusted by LVG to sort out the mess the was our backline last night.

invisible indeed.....

 

[Pogue Mahone]

One thing's for certain. He's lightening rod for the clueless of redcafe. Always has been, always will be.

 

[Getsme]

what's wrong with some people?

Blind more forward thinking than Carrick???? I like Blind and think he's done well but if there's one area that Carrick is a level above its his ability to spot a forward run and execute a precise pass. Not exactly sure how anyone could honestly dispute that.

Its funny how many times you read shit like Carrick was invisible last night. He puts out fires before they start with interceptions, positioning and anticipation. Not a centre back but trusted by LVG to sort out the mess the was our backline last night.

invisible indeed.....

Wise up, you’re obviously a fan boy. Since his full return we’ve only won 5 games, fair enough we’ve only played 5 games but still.

 

[legball]

Yeah, we won 5 games because of Carrick. I don't get this at all. Each time the opposition pressed us with him in the team, we suffered. Against Arsenal and last night too. And yesterday he was invisible too.

 

[legball]

what's wrong with some people?

Blind more forward thinking than Carrick???? I like Blind and think he's done well but if there's one area that Carrick is a level above its his ability to spot a forward run and execute a precise pass. Not exactly sure how anyone could honestly dispute that.

Its funny how many times you read shit like Carrick was invisible last night. He puts out fires before they start with interceptions, positioning and anticipation. Not a centre back but trusted by LVG to sort out the mess the was our backline last night.

invisible indeed.....

Of course he does, I do think Blind is more forward thinking and handles pressing better, and this second point is not even up for debate. Blind also started at CB for us recently. I like how people translate opinions like mine to "he's shit or not good enough" - he's obviously very good, but he gets way overrated here. We didn't win 5 games in a row because of him, we did that because of the team having more belief and resilience about them.

 

[Decotron]

Wise up, you’re obviously a fan boy. Since his full return we’ve only won 5 games, fair enough we’ve only played 5 games but still.

Its spelt Fan Boi I'll have you know

 

[Getsme]

Its spelt Fan Boi I'll have you know

Noted