Michael Carrick's Experience Will Boost Manchester United's Premier League Hopes

Ask a Manchester United fan to list the club's greatest players and it's unlikely Michael Carrick will crop up.

It's not that he hasn't represented United with distinction. It's just that he's competing with Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, Duncan Edwards, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Carrick's role has always been less celebrated. But very few players have had a bigger part in United's most recent successes.

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Five Premier League titles in eight years and three Champions League finals is an impressive record for anyone. But it's especially true for Carrick who, at times, has held the midfield together almost single-handedly.

History will remember Robin van Persie as United's star turn during the title-winning season in 2012/13. But Carrick's role was just as important.

Now 33, Carrick, like so many others, suffered a dip in form last season. But Louis van Gaal was confident enough in his ability to describe the midfielder's pre-season ankle injury as a "blow" during his first press conference as United manager:

"

Michael Carrick has been injured and that's a blow for me because he's experienced. It's very important we have experienced players, but not only in age and football experience but experience as a human being. My philosophy isn't only the football player but in total. Then there are not so many experienced players.

"

Van Gaal spent more than £155 million during the summer on some of the best players in the world. But he's still missed Carrick.

His absence isn't noticeable when United are flying forward with Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Van Persie. But it is when they're under pressure.

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When United were in the process of collapsing at Leicester, it needed an experienced head to keep the ball and edge the team over the finish line.

David De Gea might not have been quite so busy in the final few minutes against Everton if the players in front of him had done a better job of keeping possession and closed out the game. 

Van Gaal lost a lot of experience in the summer. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra all left Old Trafford while Ryan Giggs called time on his playing career. The Dutchman has assembled an expensive squad. But he hasn't got the benefit of many old heads.

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Carrick's recovery from ankle surgery is almost complete. He should be back just in time for a run of games that includes Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.

They are the type of games when Van Gaal will need experience and a calm authority in midfield to add to his enviable array of attacking talent.

Carrick might not have the star quality of Di Maria or Falcao. But he's made a career out of being a quietly effective support act.