Michael Carrick Could Be More Than Temporary Defensive Solution for Man United

There's always a bit of gossiping when a new manager or player arrives in the Premier League from a different country; gossiping dressed up as research.

However famous the new man, there's always some homework to be done. Those who know him best can be mined for information. And when Louis van Gaal was appointed as Manchester United's new manager, it was no different.

Of course, the Manchester-based journalists knew about Van Gaal. They were all familiar with his CV, his spells at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich and Holland. But they had never seen him work up close. 

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They didn't know about the intricacies of his tactical approach, what he liked in his players and what he did not. For that kind of information, they had to go to the Dutch press pack: the reporters who have followed every step of his impressive career.

The fact-finding mission covered a number of different topics. Would Van Gaal play three at the back or four? Was there a specific type of player he would look to sign? Was there a particular player already at Old Trafford he would like working with?

The answers to the first two questions varied depending on who you spoke to. But the response to the third was pretty standard: Michael Carrick. 

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The journalists who knew Van Gaal best thought he would be a fan of the England midfielder's metronomic passing and intelligent positioning. The Dutchman revealed his admiration in his opening press conference when he said Carrick's pre-season ankle injury was a "big blow." 

But what he didn't say was where he planned to play Carrick once he was fully fit. And the journalists over from Holland for Van Gaal's inauguration had an interesting thought: In the long term, Carrick might find himself at centre-half more often than not, especially if Van Gaal stuck with his three-man defence.

The logic was simple. Van Gaal likes defenders who can step out into midfield and pass the ball. And if there's one thing Carrick can do, it's pass. 

He's been used as a centre-half before but only ever in an emergency. It was the same on Sunday against Manchester City.

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But there's no reason why he shouldn't make a good central defender. He's comfortable on the ball and relies on clever positioning to break up play. He lacks the pace of the world's top defenders, but at 6'2" he's better in the air than he's given credit for.

Injuries and suspensions have prevented Van Gaal from finding a regular centre-back pairing. With Marcos Rojo injured and Chris Smalling suspended after the trip to the Etihad Stadium, it's likely Carrick will have to partner with 19-year-old Paddy McNair against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

For now it's a short-term solution to a defensive crisis. But those who know Van Gaal best wouldn't be surprised if it started to happen more regularly now that Carrick has returned from his injury layoff.

Quotes obtained first-hand.