IS HE OKAY?
Seriously, I woke up and that's the second thought in my head. (First was the result, of course.)
Seriously, I woke up and that's the second thought in my head. (First was the result, of course.)
16
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 20
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
Well, according to physioroom.com, Carrick does have a calf/shin injury, and so far, they haven't placed a return date for him. Judging by how Carrick walked off, it's most likely an injury on his calf, which isn't good as that means that he'll definitely miss the Chelsea match and possibly the match against Everton.
Can someone explain to me more about his role defensively today? It seemed like Smalling would drift out wide to the right and Carrick would drop back as a center back. This is what happened before their first goal but Carrick didn't really seem to be marking effectively. This was done to allow Valencia to get forward, or just as makeshift cover when he was out of position?
Carrick sits in the opposition's hole and with that he was supposed to pick up Silva early in the first half. Milner and Silva interchanged positions and it took our team by surprise before the first goal and I think that's why it gave city a bit of an upperhand. As for the first goal, it was a combination of uncertainty in marking because of that interchange and Valencia being completely out of position, behind both Milner and Clichy in their attack.
Carrick would always fill in for a central defender who'd drift out wide to the flank, regardless of whether it was Smalling or Jones. When Valencia would push up and press Clichy/Milner off the ball, Smalling would drift out to the right to cover for him, and Carrick is supposed to drop back to central defence with Herrera filling up his area in midfield.
Just rewatched he game. It looked like he was feeling his right hamstring. It's obviously not too serious, so I would guess anything up to 2 weeks. Probably less.
Hopefully it is the hamstring and not the calf/shin as Physioroom.com mentioned. Calf/shin injuries can take up to a month to recover from.
I got it wrong! It was actually a 'stiff calf'. The fact it's just stiff rather than strained is good news. A bit of a rest and some massage should do the trick.
What a relief! I'm glad he went off in time then; otherwise, that could have been much worse.
I suppose if he isn't ready for Chelsea, it's Blind for him and Shaw at left back.
... Jeez, suddenly it feels like we're stacked for quality players.
... Jeez, suddenly it feels like we're stacked for quality players.
He's our most important (outfield) player, that's some achievement given the talent at the Club.
Carrick has done wonders for your midfield when available this season. It's not even because of his ability, per se. He's a great player obviously, but his real strength is his ability to read the game and to position himself accordingly. United are a whole different animal defensively when he plays.
You should call him Pritt Stick because he is the glue which keeps the team together. Without him, you look flimsy and naive. With him, the opposite.
You should call him Pritt Stick because he is the glue which keeps the team together. Without him, you look flimsy and naive. With him, the opposite.
He reminds me of Modrić with his reading of the game and positioning. Or better say Modrić reminds me of Carrick. 
Carrick reads the game so well, always knows where to be, weather it is for a pass to organise our play, to settle down the tempo, or defensively to snuff out the danger if not by tackling than with good closing down.
Carrick reads the game so well, always knows where to be, weather it is for a pass to organise our play, to settle down the tempo, or defensively to snuff out the danger if not by tackling than with good closing down.
So any updates... seriously I want him healthy for Chelsea!!
Barney Ronay - as usual - nails it.
http://www.theguardian.com/football...-louis-van-gaal-manchester-city-midfield-blog
http://www.theguardian.com/football...-louis-van-gaal-manchester-city-midfield-blog
All very well from Barney, but Carrick's 33, good old Grauniad.
"United brought to mind an expert hard court tennis player, moving an opponent from side to side, feeling for a weak spot, ganging up on one wing and setting City up for the big switch to that feeble wide backhand (also known as Gaël Clichy)."
Great article. My favourite part though had absolutely nothing to do with Carrick. The term 'quicki-taka' optimises our new system perfectly!
Yes!
We need to nurse him through the Chelsea game and give him a break if he needs until the Arsenal game at OT. The second name on the team sheet by default after De Gea
Hopefully he's already hooked on Giggsy's yoga plan.
By far the most intelligent footballer in the team... yes, even more than Blind or Mata.
By far the most intelligent footballer in the team... yes, even more than Blind or Mata.
Haha Coincidentally read ronay's piece about 20 mins before coming on here and seeing it had been posted and was equally enamoured with quickie-taka
He had a great game particularly the second half so well deserved praise but so had Fellani, Herrera, Young Mata, Valencia, we have been playing good as team recently that's when Carrick's very useful player :-)
anyway the fifa rating still tells me he's a bit overrated
not
Loving this sort of comment after being shit for the first half of the season.
Goes to show how important it is to be patient with a manager and the philosophy he is trying to instill. The players are the same, the difficult part is making them perform as a team.
Indeed, good as Blind is as cover I'm loving him at LB.
Why doesn't he take corners? Surely he could assist 10 times more than he'd ever score from one.
It's amazing to think that people on this very forum thought that he was "past it" and not our preferred DM option earlier this season...
What's our stats with him in the team?
I think we only lost one league game when he's started and that was against Southampton.
I think we only lost one league game when he's started and that was against Southampton.
We're way too reliant on him, at the moment. Despite his brilliance, he's bound to trail off sooner than later and I feel we could potentially witness that as early as next season. We need to get a replacement for him ASAP.
I don't see how him performing well means were are 'way too reliant' on him. Every team needs their players, especially their best players playing well. It's why you pay them a lot of money.
His good performances have coincided with us going on a good run. You can't deny the fact that he brings our team together in such a way that we function better as a unit. Our performances during his absence are a proof of that.
I was the biggest advocate for bringing Carrick in over Blind (as good as Blind was doing there) but I don't think we are too reliant on Carrick. Whenever a player is playing well, fans are quick to label it as that, too reliant etc. I understand the thought but I don't think we will turn to shit when Carrick leaves, we always evolve.
Any update on his injury?
It's not that bad. van Gaal confirmed after the match that Carrick had a stiff calf, which is not that bad and means that he'll be fully match fit and ready for the match against Chelsea.
LVG was speculating unless there is some quotes I am unfamiliar with.
Thank god,we need him badly for rest of the season,least against Chelsea,Everton &Arsenal.
- Status