Reds rescue: Michael Carrick can shoulder Manchester United midfield burden

Michael Carrick has impressed of late

If ManchesterUniteds midfield are in the last chance saloon, then Michael Carrick has certainly come out with all guns blazing.

Inter Milans Wesley Sneijders name has hovered over the champions mid-fielders ever since Paul Scholes announced his retirement and created a vacancy for an imaginative schemer.

Sneijder was courted by Fergie but alleged excessive wage demands and a 35m price tag meant the deal for the Dutchman floundered.

When academy product Tom Cleverleyimpressed as United steamrollered over West Brom, Spurs, Arsenal and Bolton at the start of the season, creativity was no longer an issue.

However, when Cleverley succumbed to ankle ligament damage at the Reebok and then a recurrence at Everton, the spotlight was once again trained on a lack of flair in Uniteds ranks.

For a while now, Carrick has been a bit like Marmite for the United fans. You either love him or hate him on the field. He has split the Reds support.

But reactions to his display against Wolves onthis website ranged from majestic to outstanding.

With fans still hoping Sir Alex Ferguson will discover a talent in the January transfer window to invest in, former United midfielder Sammy McIlroy believes Carrick could still be the man to save the Reds boss some cash and a winter search.

I have always been a Michael Carrick fan because I think he is a very, very talented player, McIlroy told M.E.N. Sport. He has great vision and I think he is a wonderful passer of the ball.

There are one or two times he makes a wrong decision on a pass and that is when the crowd gets on his back. I think the problem he has is that he is one of those players who fans dont often see what he ! contribu tes.

Important

Understandably the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Nani are the kind of players who catch the eye. Unfussy players like Carrick tend to go unnoticed a lot.

Yet he has a very important role protecting the back four at times. He is calm and doesnt get flustered and I think it was a big shame that he was serving a one-match ban in Switzerland against Basel in the Champions League.

I think United could have done with him in that key match last week.

I would like more goals from him and I think that would help his popularity with the fans.

He is a big lad and has a good shot on him so he certainly has the tools to test goalkeepers.

United have been plagued by injuries in all departments this season.

In midfield the jinx has claimed Cleverley, Anderson and Darren Fletcher and McIlroy believes Carrick should seize the moment.

He can do the job.

And I think he has possibly discovered the right sidekick for himself in that midfield in Phil Jones.

The young lad has been unbelievable and for me has been the buy of the season.

He makes fabulous runs into the box from midfield and when you have a target like that bombing forward then Michael Carrick is the man to provide the ammo because he can deliver a 40-50 yard pass.

Jones also has the capacity to break things up in midfield. He can get into opponents ribs. He can do that, give the ball to Carrick and Michael can find him or someone else with his vision."

What do you think? Have your say.

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