This Amazing Stats Prove Mourinho Has One Player To Turn United’s season Around!!

Nov 9, 2016 at 5:35 PM

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This Amazing Stats Prove Mourinho Has One Player To Turn United’s season Around!!

“It’s Carrick you know, it’s hard to believe it’s not Scholes.”

This familiar United chant rang around the Liberty Stadium as an improved display saw them run out 3-1 winners at Swansea. Paul Pogba scored a stunner and Zlatan Ibrahimovic found himself back among the goals after a drought, but the United away faithful know what a good player Michael Carrick is.

Carrick makes a huge difference to the team whenever he plays and that was evident on the pitch once again. He may not be quite at Paul Scholes level but Carrick has been a superb long term servant at Old Trafford. Amidst rumours he would not be given a new deal at the end of last season, there was huge relief when it was announced Carrick would be staying for one more season.

Against Swansea, Carrick’s intelligence, positional play and passing range allowed the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney more freedom in attack. As a result, Mourinho’s charges looked a much more menacing outfit in the first half as they showed a clinical streak against the hapless Swans.

At 35 years of age, Carrick cannot play every game as Mourinho has stated. The Portuguese manager would give anything for Carrick to be ten years younger. The fact that despite all the money spent on midfielders over the last few seasons that Carrick is still United’s best in the middle of the park is very troublesome. This may well be his last season but he can still play an important part.

Despite United’s indifferent form this season, the Reds have been sensational whenever Carrick has been involved and, after their victory at the Liberty Stadium last weekend, an incredible stat came to light regarding the Englishman.


At 35 years of age, he certainly cannot play every single game for United but Carrick should be rolled out for league matches instead of being used in League Cup and Europa League games.

Mourinho still has a lot of work to do with this squad but finding a long-term

replacement for Carrick should be a priority. Unfortunately there are not many options out there at the moment.

One option that is already at the club is versatile Dutch player Daley Blind. Blind is a jack of all trades and master at none but he has very similar attributes to Carrick, such as his passing range and ability to read the game. This can easily make up for a lack of pace or physical strength. A football brain trumps all of this as Carrick has proven.

Blind has been moved about between centre back and left back in recent seasons but in Van Gaal’s first season he was generally deployed as a defensive midfielder and impressed many there. Versatility is useful but it can be a player’s worst enemy. Some players need to nail down a specific position and that could be the case with Daley Blind.

It is widely known United are very rich and these days are always prepared to flex their considerable financial muscle. It may be that they will have to go into the transfer market. Toni Kroos, Kevin Strootman and Marco Verratti are attractive targets but Woodward and co may well have to negotiate outside the box.

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton and Irish international Harry Arter will likely fly under the radar but they are viable options as the Red Devils fish in a puddle for another Carrick-type of player.

A win all be it against a poor Swansea side will help but a win against Arsenal after the international break could show that the players are back on the right track. Carrick should be the first name on the team sheet.

 

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