Carrick Deserves Last Chance To Save United Career

You have to feel sorry for Michael Carrick, once the midfield maestro during Manchester United most successful era, but one torturous evening in Rome where Xavi, Iniesta and co. so brutal dismantled United’s midfield, seems to have left Carrick damaged beyond repair. 

The England International’s form has suffered a dramatic downward spiral since that fateful night, normally so reliable, Michael’s passing became somewhat erratic towards the end of last season. He became increasingly exposed defensively, most notably against Wolves, Liverpool coming to an unfortunate crescendo with his error for Olic’s goal for Bayern Munich,  which instigated United’s quarter final Champions League exit.  

Life’s got no better for Michael this summer. He failed to play a single minute of England’s dismal World Cup campaign. The impressive Mezut Ozil and Belgian midfielder Steven Defour been strongly linked to United, reports suggesting Carrick could be the one to make way, with a move to Sunderland or a return to Tottenham.

The general feeling among United fans on the terraces, on the phone-in shows, is that Carrick’s abilities are on the slide, that he has lost his spark, there’s no doubt Carrick has plenty to prove next season.

With the Premier League only a week away, it seems Michael will survive the onslaught and will be given his well earned opportunity to rediscover his form. I say ‘well earned’ because Carrick has achieved so much to United’s recent success, I believe he’s deserves the backing of the fans.

Prior to his arrive, Manchester United crashed out of the Champion’s group stage in 2005. With the departure of Roy Keane, an eye injury to Paul Scholes, the Red Devils struggled on with a midfield partnership of the tenacious Alan Smith and utility man John O’Shea. Though good players, neither had the passing ability, guile or quality needed to mount a serious title challenges at home or on the continent.

For me, Michael Carrick, the only major signing in the summer of 2006, provide the intelligence and creativity United’s midfield craved, I believe his move from Tottenham was the catalyst for Manchester United most successful period in the club’s history, with Michael in the engine room, United went on to win three Premier League title’s, the Champion’s League win in 2008 and a runners up place in 2009, two League Cup wins and World Club Cup Championship.

Wrestling the league title from Chelsea in 2007 was a great achievement from United, especially with such a thin squad. A lack of quality midfield cover meant United relied on Carrick’s devastating partnership with Paul Scholes to overcome their West London rivals

Throughout the season, it was Carrick’s job to dictate the play with his short passing, possession football, but his ability to find Rooney and Ronaldo with a simple pass to feet or through the heart of the opposition’s defence, made United devastating on the break, turning defence into attack with a blink of an eye. Playing along side an aging Paul Scholes, Carrick showcased his defensive duties too, often sitting deep, protecting the back four, he was not scared to put his foot in, break the opposition play, winning the ball back, getting the attack under way. The Manchester club were competitive in Europe again, Carrick’s impressed with his mature performances helped United reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2002, smashing Roma 7-1 along the way.

Once the league title was secured, the Red’s tired squad collapsed, losing three of the four last games of the season, against Milan, Chelsea, West Ham and Chelsea again in the FA Cup Final, failing to score a single goal in the process. This triggered Ferguson to delve into the transfer market in the summer of 2007, purchasing hard running, tough tackling midfields Owen Hargreaves and Brazilian youngster Anderson, this gave Michael more licence to create, a lethal midfield combination that saw United go on to win the Premier League & Champions League Double in 2008.

Up to a year ago, Michael Carrick has been one of Manchester United’s most consistent performers, what does him no favours is that he goes about his job quietly. Despite the all the silverware over the last four years, he rarely treated fans to moments of magic. To the untrained eye Carrick doesn’t score enough goals, just 12 goals in over 100 games, he’s not a Captain Marvel figure like a Roy Keane or Bryan Robson, tearing around the pitch, diving into tackles. When on form, the game comes all too easy for Carrack, he pulls the strings in the most unspectacular way, I think it’s hard for fans to passionately defend his worth. But that is just the character Michael, he’s comes across has a quiet, laid back, unassuming sort.  Some may say he’s a boring, unfashionable player, but results have proved he is effective, I supposed it testament to Michael's abilities, that his loss of form has coincided with United losing the Premier League title.

United fan’s may be urge Alex Ferguson to splash out on a world class midfielder like Sneijder or Ozil this summer. But for all Carrick’s achieved, for his service to the club, Fergie may to opt for the sensible option and allow Carrick to play himself back into favour for another season at least.