[surf]

Based on last season being a one off and him deserving of a chance based on what he did two years ago.

I'd like to see him at CB, I think he'd be better than the current options we have.

He's a bit slow and not a great header or particularly strong. Beckenbauer could get away with it, not so sure about Carrick.

 

[Devil may care]

We lack leadership and someone who can impose himself in defense, Carrick is neither of those things and he's slow and not very agile, I don't see how it would work. The thing that gets me is that by the time he's back Jones should be fit and Smalling and Rojo will have played a month together as CB's injury permitting, if LvG thinks they are all so poor as to need replacing by a 33 year old CM then surely he would have pushed harder to buy a CB in the summer.

 

[Rob Bowman]

was clear as day once we bought Blind that he would play CB.

Based on how Rojo played I could easily see Blind at left back. But more than anything I want to see Carrick get a chance with all our talent. Carrick has always been about making a team tick. He does nothing amazing by himself; He just helps the team. And that was the issue last year, there was not much to help.

----------Carrick---------
--Herrera------diMaria--
-----------Mata----------
---Falcao------Rooney--

That is what I want to see...

 

[ivaldo]

People thinking he'll have this huge impact on us will be massively disappointed, what we needed against Leicester was someone to take the game by the balls and lead us, if Carrick had played it would've have made a blind bit of difference.

 

[Feed Me]

People thinking he'll have this huge impact on us will be massively disappointed, what we needed against Leicester was someone to take the game by the balls and lead us, if Carrick had played it would've have made a blind bit of difference.

Disagree. It needed a level head, someone to dictate the tempo.

 

[ivaldo]

Disagree. It needed a level head, someone to dictate the tempo.

When the going gets stuff Carrick doesn't step up, he shys away, he wouldn't have been able to do anything Blind wasn't already doing.

 

[Feed Me]

When the going gets stuff Carrick doesn't step up, he shys away, he wouldn't have been able to do anything Blind wasn't already doing.

That's a bit of a clichéd view, in my opinion.

Carrick has had at least three top class seasons for United, and another couple of very good ones - you don't attain those standards by shying away in the tough games.

It didn't need an emotive response on Sunday, but rather someone to put their foot on the ball and play intelligently and at the right pace. Carrick is as qualified as anyone to do that.

While we're struggling so badly with defensive issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a double pivot of Carrick and Blind, with Herrera ahead of them.

 

[Feed Me]

Lots of negativity on the previous page about Carrick's potential conversion to CB. If that's LvG's plan, give it a chance - Guardiola seems to have converted a good number of players at Bayern.

 

[AKDevil]

In what universe, after that train wreck of a season from Carrick could you deduce that he was the only one that deserved to continue this season? Puzzling.

Because I didn't judge him purely on last season. I just looked at who was left last season, knew loads of money would be spent and thought who is likely to survive and deserved to play a part in new era.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I meant, without the Ferguson security blanket. Granted a lot of players threw in the towel and bottled it to be fair.

A lot? I'd probably go with "all"

 

[Pogue Mahone]

That's a bit of a clichéd view, in my opinion.

Carrick has had at least three top class seasons for United, and another couple of very good ones - you don't attain those standards by shying away in the tough games.

It didn't need an emotive response on Sunday, but rather someone to put their foot on the ball and play intelligently and at the right pace. Carrick is as qualified as anyone to do that.

While we're struggling so badly with defensive issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a double pivot of Carrick and Blind, with Herrera ahead of them.

Would have been the perfect response to going 3-1 up at the weekend.

 

[ivaldo]

That's a bit of a clichéd view, in my opinion.

Carrick has had at least three top class seasons for United, and another couple of very good ones - you don't attain those standards by shying away in the tough games.

It didn't need an emotive response on Sunday, but rather someone to put their foot on the ball and play intelligently and at the right pace. Carrick is as qualified as anyone to do that.

While we're struggling so badly with defensive issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a double pivot of Carrick and Blind, with Herrera ahead of them.

All of Leicester's goals came from direct balls over the top, there was nothing Blind or Carrick could've done to prevent it. We needed organisation and someone to win those first balls.

 

[Sultan]

While we're struggling so badly with defensive issues, I wouldn't mind seeing a double pivot of Carrick and Blind, with Herrera ahead of them.

I seem to be on the same wavelength as your self playing Blind and Carrick in front of the back whilst the defence beds in and functions as a unit.

My biggest concern with Carrick playing as a defender is lack of strength when playing against big strong forwards (Lukaku, Benteke, etc). He generally tends to get bullied. If Van Gaal decides to play with 3 central defenders I'd say Carrick would be an ideal player with his quality of distribution from the back and reading of the game.

 

[Sultan]

Would have been the perfect response to going 3-1 up at the weekend.

Yes. Another option I would have thought was one of the coaches to have come on the touchline and instructed players to play possession football and pick them of on counters. We now have an ideally suited player in Di Maria to play such a game.

 

[Seveneric]

Well the thread title is wrong, I'm not eagerly awaiting his sure to be mediocre run at CB if that's really LVG's plan. And the nonsense about "wait and see" because LVG has converted players before is just that, nonsense. He's 33 and he's had runs there before, what magic will LVG weave that'll suddenly make him a competent CB that wasn't there under Fergie when he was actually a better player

 

[Crackers]

Our father who art Carrick
Hallowed be thy name
Thy return will come
Evans ill be done
in defense as it is in protection
give us this day
our holy red
and forgive those who pass it backwards.

 

[Jacob]

Our father who art Carrick
Hallowed be thy name
Thy return will come
Evans ill be done
in defense as it is in protection
give us this day
our holy red
and forgive those who pass it backwards.

Amen

 

[Pogue Mahone]

All of Leicester's goals came from direct balls over the top, there was nothing Blind or Carrick could've done to prevent it. We needed organisation and someone to win those first balls.

Not really. They came from United defenders getting isolated in wide areas. Which is where we needed a bit more help from midfield, especially when both our full-backs were constantly getting caught upfield.

 

[Feed Me]

Would have been the perfect response to going 3-1 up at the weekend.

I agree. Carrick is obviously injured, but Fletcher was sat on the bench.

Tbh though, I'm not going to slate LvG for failing to make that sub - we're all wonderful coaches with hindsight. I think he, like all of us, was probably of the view that we'd go on and extend the lead. He'll surely be more cautious if the same situation arises in the future.

 

[Feed Me]

All of Leicester's goals came from direct balls over the top, there was nothing Blind or Carrick could've done to prevent it. We needed organisation and someone to win those first balls.

Fair point. But the likes of Carrick and Blind would've helped us keep possession better, preventing Leicester launching attacks as frequently. Once the game went to 3-2, it was noticeable how little we retained the ball.

The other thing is that holding players tend to fill in for attacking full backs, and both Rafael and Rojo left a lot of space in behind at the weekend, leaving the CBs exposed.

For tougher assignments, having the extra insurance would be prudent. Against West Ham, for instance, I think Blind on his own will be fine. Against Everton the following weekend, I'd prefer an extra conservative midfielder in alongside him.

 

[ivaldo]

Not really. They came from United defenders getting isolated in wide areas. Which is where we needed a bit more help from midfield, especially when both our full-backs were constantly getting caught upfield.

No they really were long balls, out wide or centrally makes no difference, they bypassed the midfield and Carrick doesn't exactly have the engine/pace to track those balls over the top to pick up 2nds. Its a case of if the defense wins them then its irrelevant.

 

[Feed Me]

I seem to be on the same wavelength as your self playing Blind and Carrick in front of the back whilst the defence beds in and functions as a unit.

My biggest concern with Carrick playing as a defender is lack of strength when playing against big strong forwards (Lukaku, Benteke, etc). He generally tends to get bullied. If Van Gaal decides to play with 3 central defenders I'd say Carrick would be an ideal player with his quality of distribution from the back and reading of the game.

One of Moyes' best tactical performances last season was West Ham away - Carrick played at centre back, but it was Fellaini - from midfield - who dropped in at the relevant time to pick up Carroll.

I'm no fan of Fellaini, but he is probably a useful player to have around for these tough away games, where opposing teams are going to look to prey on our aerial weakness.

 

[Feed Me]

No they really were long balls, out wide or centrally makes no difference, they bypassed the midfield and Carrick doesn't exactly have the engine/pace to track those balls over the top to pick up 2nds. Its a case of if the defense wins them then its irrelevant.

You have to retain possession - starving Leicester of the ball prevents them from launching long balls.

Carrick would've been a good option to get his foot on the ball and play intelligently. I thought Hererra was very good for the first hour, but it become infuriating how many times he aimlessly hoofed on the edge of his own box - he panicked and all it served to do was give Leicester the ball back.

 

[Enigma_87]

Is LvG on crack? Carrick is never a CB. He's slow, doesn't stick in, can't head and has like zero aggression. It's a bit late as well to convert him into a CB - a position he has played handful times in his career.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

No they really were long balls, out wide or centrally makes no difference, they bypassed the midfield and Carrick doesn't exactly have the engine/pace to track those balls over the top to pick up 2nds. Its a case of if the defense wins them then its irrelevant.

Disagree. When a fullback pushed up you rely on your central midfielders to fill in. Carrick's defensive awareness an positioning is second to none, especially when he's being asked to sit fairly deep. With him and Blind both holding we could have stopped at least two or three of those goals we conceded.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I agree. Carrick is obviously injured, but Fletcher was sat on the bench.

Tbh though, I'm not going to slate LvG for failing to make that sub - we're all wonderful coaches with hindsight. I think he, like all of us, was probably of the view that we'd go on and extend the lead. He'll surely be more cautious if the same situation arises in the future.

Yeah, that's a fair point.

 

[Nighteyes]

For away games I'd play both Carrick and Blind in front of the defense with Herrra, Rooney, RVP/Falcao and Di Maria ahead of them.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I honestly don't think Carrick would of made much, if any difference on Sunday, Blind did ok for the first hour so the only way Carrick might of made a difference for me was if he was brought on at that point to calm things down in posession, something he is well capable of doing, But if we got the Carrick of last season then I would doubt he would contribute to the game at all.

In regards to playing Carrick at CB, I think it could work, But it would need to be with someone like Jones who can be quite physical otherwise it wouldn't work at all, Him and the inexperience of Blackett would be a disaster IMO.
If it is true then it speaks volumes of what he thinks of the current CB selection we have

 

[Pogue Mahone]

For away games I'd play both Carrick and Blind in front of the defense with Herrra, Rooney, RVP/Falcao and Di Maria ahead of them.

Yup. 4231 with Falcao up top and Rooney, Mata and Di Maria behind him. Rooney and Di Maria out wide.

Would actually seriously consider Hererra as a 10 instead of Mata, come to think of it. That would give us the most solid midfield we've had in years.

 

[Mezano]

Carrick and Jones together would provide Van Gaal with the two ball playing CB he needs for a possession game. Blind in front of those two and you have a system quite similar to the Barcelona set up of Pique, Mascherano and Busquets.

 

[Lu Tze]

When will managers learn that Carrick is not a CB. No pace, no strength and no ability to head a ball. He is worse than useless there.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

When will managers learn that Carrick is not a CB. No pace, no strength and no ability to head a ball. He is worse than useless there.

Not that I condone using him as CB, but Carrick does have strength, you don't need pace and he can head a ball, his problem is positioning, hence why I think he should be played as a sweeper/playAmaker but I'm crazy, either way I agree he shouldn't be part of a 2 main CB, but not for the reasons you posted.

 

[ivaldo]

Fair point. But the likes of Carrick and Blind would've helped us keep possession better, preventing Leicester launching attacks as frequently. Once the game went to 3-2, it was noticeable how little we retained the ball.

The other thing is that holding players tend to fill in for attacking full backs, and both Rafael and Rojo left a lot of space in behind at the weekend, leaving the CBs exposed.

For tougher assignments, having the extra insurance would be prudent. Against West Ham, for instance, I think Blind on his own will be fine. Against Everton the following weekend, I'd prefer an extra conservative midfielder in alongside him.

Ball retention wasn't a problem in the first half, the players on the pitch were more than capable of playing keep ball they just lost their heads, I agree in more challenging games Carrick can be deployed along with Blind in front of the back 4 but his presence wouldve made no difference against Leicester.

 

[ivaldo]

Disagree. When a fullback pushed up you rely on your central midfielders to fill in. Carrick's defensive awareness an positioning is second to none, especially when he's being asked to sit fairly deep. With him and Blind both holding we could have stopped at least two or three of those goals we conceded.

It's Leicester, we should never be playing s back 4 and 2 sitting midfielders against them, the players lost their heads and the back 4 went to pot, their goals came from defensive errors and that was the problem.

 

[Hed Zitin]

Carrick is crap in the air, he isn't physical and you have to have that in this league. We've seen enough times how rubbish he is at the back.

I've always been a fan of the no nonsense defenders like Vidic, Stam and Bruce. I blame the lack of world class CB these days on managers that care more about defenders that can pass a ball than defend and throw themselves at everything.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It's Leicester, we should never be playing s back 4 and 2 sitting midfielders against them, the players lost their heads and the back 4 went to pot, their goals came from defensive errors and that was the problem.

Have you not been following Leicester this season? One of the form teams of the PL who have caused real problems for many of the best teams in the league. A gung ho approach was always going to hurt us and lo and behold, it did...

Anyway, I wasn't advocating Carrick and Blind from the start. Once it became apparent that Blackett and Rojo weren't at the races it would have been a good option. Especially once we got our noses in front. With our first choice back four we should never play two holding midfielders but we've got real problems in defence right now, so needs must.

 

[Feed Me]

Ball retention wasn't a problem in the first half, the players on the pitch were more than capable of playing keep ball they just lost their heads, I agree in more challenging games Carrick can be deployed along with Blind in front of the back 4 but his presence wouldve made no difference against Leicester.

I agree that ball retention was no issue in the first half, and that's why we enjoyed superiority in terms of scoreline. We lost our collective cool once they made it 3-2 and we completely stopped playing football, resorting to long, aimless punts.

 

[ZDwyr]

I suppose he'll have his usual slow start to the season when he does get back. So by the time he finds some sort of form the season will be in the back half anyway.

 

[montpelier]

It might improve the passing from out of defence but won't improve the defending by the defence.

Not a good idea.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Carrick is crap in the air, he isn't physical and you have to have that in this league. We've seen enough times how rubbish he is at the back.

I've always been a fan of the no nonsense defenders like Vidic, Stam and Bruce. I blame the lack of world class CB these days on managers that care more about defenders that can pass a ball than defend and throw themselves at everything.

Jones throws himself at everything - that's why he gets so many injuries!