That has caught me by surprise as well. Seems to have crept up on us. We all talk about finding a partner for him when we talk about midfield, but if we don't sign on in the next few windows it could be a case of looking for one to start to replace him. Makes it sink in how long we have been looking for the club to sign a quality CM option.
Which midfielder will we sign this summer?
- Thread starter pocco
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Maybe by the time Carrick needs replacing, we'll have signed a replacement for Scholes.
Carrick's game isn't built on attributes that decrease with age, there's no need to start looking for a replacement now, he could comfortably play in his role till his mid/late 30's. I think nowadays there's too much obsession with players and "age".
I blame Arsene Wenger and Football manager for this.
I think we will sign a CM, but again I think it will be one who isn't quite good enough to hold down a place. Or is too young. Another Powell or maybe another Anderson type.
2 CM's are needed this summer along with a winger, this "big" signing will more than likely be a winger Id guess. I'd be happy if we end up with someone like Strootman and maybe even James Rodriguez who could operate as either a winger of attacking midfielder in the Silva/Mata type role.Bale would be a dream signing but Levy will choose to sell to anyone it united
Agreed.
Besides, your average player lasts longer nowadays. 32 is no age for any player, let alone a player like Carrick. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out we haven't seen the very best of him yet.
Carrick will carry on for next couple of seasons probably and can see him declining around/after that especially in terms of playing in a midfield 2. Even someone like Xavi has had a lean run of form this season.
He would still be good but not on the level he has been this season.
He would still be good but not on the level he has been this season.
The reliance we have on him will matter with age - he's played an insane amount of games this season and this has been one of the lesser competitive title races, as well as not going as far in the CL and FA cup as we'd have liked. The older he gets, the less he can afford to be this 1 man midfield he's been at times this season.
Are any of the upcoming Dutch midfielders any good ? Van Ginkel, De Vilhena, Maher and Classie ?
The thing with Carrick is we need a genuine alternative, preferably a younger understudy that will be content as back up for 2 or 3 seasons but good enough to at least challenge for a start as opposed to someone 18 or 19 who is just learning the ropes.
So has Strootman fallen off the pile according to the Caf?
Strootman, Falcao.
Gundogan and Thiago, but I guess that would be very wishful thinking.
Think we have papered over the cracks for too long with this position someone of quality should be brought in.
Think we have papered over the cracks for too long with this position someone of quality should be brought in.
I was more thinking that in a few more years if we still haven't signed a CM, which is quite possible at the rate we seem to look at buying one. In two years, if we still haven't bought, then it won't be just a case of us having to find him a partner, but also look at bringing through his successor as well.
Quintero
I actually think we have more chances of signing him rather than any other midfielder with all the Dutch connections we have at our club. I mean RVP might have spoken to him during internationals and then there is Rene and we also have VDS as our ambassador. It has to count for something. Buttner is there as well so he will have an easy transition in his first season, which could take some of the pressure of him.
Midfielders a go go?
He never did sign a midfielder 
That's obviously the reason he retired
Its on!
Sir Alex >> Midfielders.
Its on!
If nothing else, we can pretty sure we'll spend big this summer.
The things this man wouldn't do in order not to sign a midfielder...
Oh feck it, stay on, Sir Alex, we'll just play Phelan there.
Oh feck it, stay on, Sir Alex, we'll just play Phelan there.
The irony if the new manager continues in Fergie's track of not buying a midfielder.
Marouane Fellaini it is then...
We're bringing Gibson and Phil Neville back
Steven Pienaar by the looks of it.
he can be a force to reckon with us...
More like Lampard
Yeah but he's a forward. He's been rubbish when in midfield this season
If it's Moyes, then expect us to have some interest in Moutinho.
Or Ross Barkley.
Why? You'd think Fellaini.
Sir Alex is the one that signs strikers. Moyes doesnt
Moyes has been a known admirer and was interested in Moutinho for two straight years when he was at Sporting.
So, has it been mentioned yet? Leon Osman!!
The bit about Moutinho KM mentioned sounds promising though.
The bit about Moutinho KM mentioned sounds promising though.
Giggs - Gibson - Scholes - Neville - Beckham
Our midfield next season?
Our midfield next season?
I reckon we'll have a look at Moutinho, McCarthy and maybe Fellaini
I have no idea why Strootman is mentioned so often, is he an urban legend? Cause he has done feck all yet.