Michael Carrick Is Key to Manchester United's Recovery Under Louis Van Gaal

The debate as to whether Michael Carrick is overrated or underrated will rumble on long after he has retired, but there’s no doubt that the 33-year-old holds the key to Manchester United’s recovery under Louis van Gaal this season.

In the 3-0 win over Liverpool, a fixture that tends to be feisty and fast-paced, his calm and relaxed style helped United keep a clean sheet despite the away side having a number of good chances. Liverpool’s pacy and energetic front line did cause United problems, but Carrick never looked flustered. Everything he did was simple but effective.

One such moment in the game stood out: Carrick intercepted the ball on the halfway line and played a backheel pass to James Wilson that relieved the pressure on United’s defence. It wasn’t complacent or flashy—it demonstrated a level of technique that few players in the Premier League possess.

Carrick finished the game against Liverpool with 90 per cent passing accuracy, which is exactly the same as his season average. In a match in which United’s passing was a little ragged and untidy, Carrick’s ability to receive possession, hold onto the ball and find a team-mate proved invaluable.

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Now United’s oldest and most experienced player, Carrick was sorely missed in the first nine Premier League games of the season. Since his return, United have won six out of seven games. The one loss came in the Manchester derby, during which he was brought on as a substitute with his side down to 10 men.

Reflecting on his seven appearances this season, an old Sir Alex Ferguson quote from 2012, per Mark Ogden of The Telegraph, rings truer than ever: “In the modern day game, you don’t need tacklers the same way you used to. There’s no call for it. It’s about anticipation and reading the game.”

Carrick, wearing the No. 16 shirt once worn by Roy Keane, has never been a tough tackler or an aggressive midfielder. It’s his positioning and tactical awareness that has allowed him to cruise through games so serenely over the last decade or so.  Screening the defence, making interceptions and getting his team on the front foot has long been his role for United.

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Michael Carrick: A simple litmus test of whether someone understands football or does not.

— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) December 14, 2014"

Carrick been superb on his return from an ankle injury this season and, whether it’s been from defence or midfield, has helped United to control games far better than they did in his absence.

That much has been reflected in the statistics: United have a win rate of 86 per cent with Carrick and a 33 per cent win rate without him.

Those numbers give weight to the idea that United play better football when Carrick is in the team. Between November 8 and December 8, United led the Premier League in passes per game, passing accuracy and possession, per Sky Sports.

It’s no surprise that coincided with Carrick’s return to action.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

United’s current run of six consecutive victories is the longest winning streak in the Premier League this season, yet the performances during that spell have been steady rather than spectacular.

Perhaps that’s an apt description of how Carrick plays. He’s not someone who freely racks up goals and assists, but check the tapes of United’s goals in the last few years, you will probably find that he was involved in many of the build-up moves at one point or another.

Carrick, at his best, sets the tempo for United and dictates how quickly or slowly the ball is moved around the pitch. He dominates against lesser teams but has enough resilience and discipline to be effective in the bigger games.

He struggled more than most players under David Moyes last season and was exposed in a weak midfield. With Van Gaal now in charge, it seems that Carrick will be the key to United’s recovery and attempts to get back into the Champions League.


All statistics via WhoScored.com and Squawka.com. 

Follow @Chris__Fleming