It's Carrick You Know!

 

 

 

So just what did someone do with Michael Carrick this season?!  Carrick has just enjoyed, what was for me his best season at the club yet.  Seems very much that he has taken the mantle and stepped up, his game has gone up a level.  It has not only been limited to his play but other aspects too.  Very influential and such a  vital player for Man United this season.  At the beginning of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson said that he was United's most important player.  

He was excellent in his first season, striking up a wonderful understanding with Paul Scholes.  He was influential and an ever present in the fantastic 07/08 season that the team won the European double.  He had a bit of a slump and a spell he really seemed to struggle.  Quite off his game, it later emerged he had been playing through injury.  That night in Rome vs Barcelona is one most United fans will want to forget, it wasn't nice seeing the team you love brushed to one side like that.  Can't but respect Barcelona though, what a phenomenal side and Guardiola's revolution was something else.  Most admirable, was that their side was built around players they had developed in their youth system.  Unlucky timing that their brilliance, coincided with when United had really got it right in Europe.  However, looking back to that night in Rome it was only really Fabio that came out of it with some degree of credit and Carrick was particularly picked upon for his performance.  A fairly recent interview revealed he played that one with a broken foot.  Some fans even blamed him and there was some discontent, reading around murmurs some wanted him sold.  Last season he looked like he had got back to his best and was putting in some good performances, but the consistency was still not there and too often the United team crumbled under the pressure teams put them under.  It was certainly then, a valid criticism of him that he struggled when teams pressed intensely. He seemed to just shrink in those games and was very easily bullied by strong and physical opposition players.  Was it a mentality thing was wondered.  It is also important to remember that his ride wasn't always easy as United's defensive injury woe's for two seasons meant he had to fill in at CB at times, hardly ideal.  It did look like he had lost his confidence and did wonder if he'd get it back.  Not just that, whether he'd be able to get back to the level he was before.

 

 

 

Very under appreciated as a player.  Most United fans readily sing his praises and many argue his qualities with friends/other fans until they are blue in the face.  There are some detractors amongst the United fans and it is understandable, as he is very different in terms of his style and attitude to midfielders the clubs had previously.  Particularly the men of real character- Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, for decades United fans used to seeing players like them and they just don't make them like that anymore!  It extends to England too and is pretty crazy with the influence he has had in United's success, the winning of trophies and being an ever present that he has been so often overlooked.  His England career has been very disappointing with few appearances.  He was a bit mistreated, happens quite often players.situatons being handled badly.  It is very much England's loss.  Too intent on getting the biggest names in the side, the focus never is to get the best balanced team.  It is to the continent that you needed to look to, to get the most positive opinion on him.  They appreciate him much more and what his game is.  Italians in particular were full of it proclaiming "magnifico Carrick" , particularly in the aftermath of that quite astonishingly brilliant Roma game at Old Trafford.  Very glad he has remained at United and wouldn't have wanted him to move but he would have been good in Italy especially as the pace of the game is slower. Spanish player, Xabi Alonso has had a-lot of good things to say having been a regular opponent of United's when the Spaniard was at Liverpool.  He even went as far to say that if he was Spanish, Carrick would've had a much better international career.  Teammates at United are also full of praise for him.  A players player and perhaps hard for some, particularly those who don't watch United often, to appreciate what he does.  Very much flown under the radar until this season.  He has just been excellent and has deserved the plaudits he's received.  United's central midfield is constantly rotated (often with players that aren't even midfielders) and in comparison to other parts of the team is not very strong.  Loss of Darren Fletcher was a blow and rally hope that he makes a good recovery- a real favourite of mine Fletcher and have missed watching him so much. United fans have been bemoaning the  midfield for a number of seasons now.   It is full credit to him that he has performed so well.

 

 

 

 

 

Full of confidence and it is clear to see, some Zidanesque turns in there and he's been much more adventurous with his passing.  Was known and seen that he was capable of it but been much more zip in his passes, particularly in the early season when United were moving the ball about quicker.  Stats also reveal that he has a high percentage of attacking passes, exploding the accusations that all he does is pass the ball sideways.  Noticeably more of a fire about him and he has been stronger in the tackle.  His tackling, ability to intercept play and to read the game have always been his biggest strengths.  Regarding the tackling and just his whole approach he's been a-lot tougher this season. 

A player I knew little about as a person. He's always been very professional but seldom read/seen interviews with him.  As well as performing on the pitch, it seems that he has really come out of his shell this season.  Noticeably much more commanding and vocal on the pitch.  Took me a little by surprise seeing him dancing and singing like a madman vs Villa, Swansea and at the parade.  He's only gone and joined twitter too!  Was a nice touch him captaining Sir Alex last game, a great reward for a fantastic season.  Positive recognition in that he was in the Premier League team of the season and received the Manchester United players player of the year award.  Delighted for Carrick that he is appreciated properly now.  Loving his chant, so catchy! He does too it seems. Has looked like he's loved that extra support from the fans and it may even be the main factor that has boosted his confidence. Took a time in coming, him getting his own one. Goes to show how great it is, that even one of the City players was caught singing it! With Ferguson gone, coaching changes and even some player exits it is going to take some getting used to for players and fans alike. Players like Carrick and Rio Ferdinand are going to be very important to David Moyes in this transition, their experience on and the pitch is of course invaluable.  Carrick's professionalism is a a great influence for other players and the younger ones coming through.  More of the same next season Michael!