‘He’s too slow’, ‘He passes the ball back and sideways’, ‘He’s not Roy Keane’ – Michael Carrick is never short of comments telling him what he is and what he isn’t but I tell you something, Carrick is developing into a fine footballer.
When he signed in the summer of 2006 for a reported £18.6 Million did I think the price was inflated? Sure, but then I thought the transfer of Buffon to Juventus for £32Million was inflated, the same as Luis Figo to Real Madrid for £39Million and the same as Rio Ferdinand from Leeds to United for £29Million – all of which have been a huge success for the clubs that bought them.
Buffon…living up to his Italian translation
Carrick was superb against Citeh today, he really was. He passed the ball immaculately and spread ball really well. He has come into some really good form as of late and I really do feel he has stepped up a gear from last season. He does have unfair comparisons to Roy Keane as they are two totally different footballers. Keane was a leader, a determined box to box midfielder who took no prisoners, Carrick – you could argue – lacks a number of these qualities. However, I would argue that Carrick’s composure and passing ability surpasses even Roy Keane.
When Michael Carrick realises that he can actually dictate games with his passing ability and craft, more people may start to take note. Yes he doesn’t drive forward like a Michael Ballack or have the ability, like Scholes, to turn up late in the box and smash one home but what he gives United has been missing since he injured himself against Newcastle and then against Liverpool.
For me, he was MOTM against Citeh today and fully deserves any praise he receives. He doesn’t have the same qualities as Keane, only the same shirt. The way United have evolved since the last days of Keane has been sensational. Keane questioned the managers purchasing policy in the infamous MUTV interview, which has never been aired. Many United fans raised eyebrows at the purchase of Carrick from Tottenham Hotspurs, who bought Carrick from West Ham United for around £3.75Million. It may have taken a while for some fans to appreciate what Michael Carrick does for the side but surely now it is evident how important he is for United?