Michael Carrick as a first-choice player

Carrick is past his peak, but I am sure he is happy to be a part of rotating players' group. Gets paid well, will hopefully end his career with another PL medal. Not bad at all.
 
I'm glad we aren't relying on him. The less he's used the better. Still don't think we're looking sound defensively on midfield though. Time is what we need to see if it works.
 
I believe, Carrick/Blind is Jose's plan B when Pogba is not playing.

When Pogba is playing, he is the ball carrier, he decides how and what to play. The rest just pass to Pogba when they are clueless.

Carrick/Blind's through passes will be more useful when Pogba is not playing.
 
One of our most underrated player during our Sir Alex's last few years, he has to be used sparingly now in order for him to give his best and I'm glad we finally have the midfield to afford letting Carrick rest.
 
Its a long season and Carrick generally comes into form during the title run in and he will be crucial then
But right now Fellaini is bossing it so Carrick needs to bide his time.
 
I initially wanted Carrick to start but if Fellaini keeps up his impressive showings I have no issue with him starting instead. Not having to rely on Michael so heavily, thus resulting in only using him sparingly could be very good for us and Carrick himself. He's still a valuable player to have in the sqaud, and a fresh Carrick come the end of the season where games will (hopefully) be coming thick and fast with the Europa and hopefully a title run in will be a good weapon to have.
 
I don't think he is (or should be) a first choice player. He should be deployed in matches that require experience, leadership, defensive nous, and control. He'll get plenty of games, but it would be shortsighted to even consider him a first choice player.

Not just shortsighted, but actually unfair to Carrick himself. At his age he needs to be managed very skillfully (used sparingly, but to effect).
 
It seems, at least so far, that Mourinho doesn't see him as first-choice after all.

I do think he will need to play in a three if he's to come in too. I wouldn't be surprised if he's brought in against City away. I think that game will pose the first real Rooney problem, as I can't imagine we will go there with two in midfield, against a team that plays about 5 in there! It's a touch one though between the energy of a Schneiderlein/Herrera to come in alongside Fellaini and Pogba (who I imagine will play), or the calmness and control of Carrick. Just that Carrick and Fellaini don't cover the ground too well.
 
Seems more like how fergie used to start the season with the likes of Anderson, Nani and Welbeck only to go back to Carrick, Giggs and Park once things start getting serious. I'm sure Jose will bring him and Schneiderlin into play as soon as we start playing better teams as we go into the season.
 
It is clear that the purpose of keeping Carrick was to retain his experience of the title run in. In every interview our players are speaking about the need to get used to winning again. Carrick is one of the few in the squad who knows what that's like. Mourinho probably did not want to lose that when he was so keen to try and win the title. Carrick being around the squad will help less experienced players.
 
maybe in opposite land. But in this universe it's great that we don't rely on him.
For him I mean. You won't find a bigger detractor over the last few seasons than me.
 
I know it's very early days but I'm glad Mourinho is looking at alternatives away from the Carrick midfield. He's past it and we need better in there (regardless of it lacking his type of midfielder).

So far the midfield looks a hell of a lot more solid and combative which I'm very happy about.
 
Carrick is still a very useful player and used wisely can make a difference. Relying on him like DD and fat-head was plainly stupid. I reckon in Europa, FA cup and such games he can still be the difference.
 
Carrick is still a very useful player and used wisely can make a difference. Relying on him like DD and fat-head was plainly stupid. I reckon in Europa, FA cup and such games he can still be the difference.

Exactly - as much as I love him, it was bad that we relied on him especially during the second half of the season.
 
Okay, here's how I would think about the Carrick situation.
If we were playing a rival team, say Arsenal or MCFC, would you fear Carrick if he was playing in their midfield?

Someone earlier in this thread stated that Carrick is more important than Pogba. My friend, if MCFC were playing a 35 yr old Carrick in their midfield, we'd all be laughing and stating that we need to attack through that player as he will be their weak link.
If the same rival team had Pogba in their team, our fans would be very worried about how we would neutralise the Pogba factor. Personally, I don't even think it's possible to neutralise him. The guy was bullying his way through 2-3 players in our last game.

Remember our target is to win games. With this in mind we need to pick the best players to achieve that objective.
The objective is not to play players just because they are local or have been with the club for a while, in other words using players out of pity.

Some have created a Rooney vs Carrick argument. If we need to play one of those 2, I'd play Carrick.
 
Okay, here's how I would think about the Carrick situation.
If we were playing a rival team, say Arsenal or MCFC, would you fear Carrick if he was playing in their midfield?

.

In fairness, i'm not sure Carrick was ever a type of player anyone feared even when he was at his peak!

There's plenty of games for him to play a decent role.
When that blimming Europa kicks in, we'll need to rotate a lot.
 
I have a feeling he will leave before end of the window. I think it will be to newcastle or west ham.
 
In fairness, i'm not sure Carrick was ever a type of player anyone feared even when he was at his peak!

There's plenty of games for him to play a decent role.
When that blimming Europa kicks in, we'll need to rotate a lot.
Wouldn't you prefer to keep hold of one of the youngsters and play them in his place at a fraction of the wage?
 
Wouldn't you prefer to keep hold of one of the youngsters and play them in his place at a fraction of the wage?
None of the youngsters are ready to play his role, assuming we're half-serious about Europa. TFM needs time.

Blind could, which why he's so useful even when/if Smalling displaces him.
 
None of the youngsters are ready to play his role, assuming we're half-serious about Europa. TFM needs time.

Blind could, which why he's so useful even when/if Smalling displaces him.
How serious do you think we will take it if we are prepared to play a second string side? Regardless of what he brought to the side he is just taking up space in the squad.
 
How serious do you think we will take it if we are prepared to play a second string side? Regardless of what he brought to the side he is just taking up space in the squad.

It's obvious sense to play a rotated line up in the group stages, have you seen how some of the games fall? I think one is between Chelsea and Liverpool away games!
Also, unlike the other cups, you can afford a crap result as you have other games to make it up.

The other thing, is when we talk rotation, we're talking bringing the likes of Rashford and Schneiderlin in, not Donald Love's crapper brother!
 
It's obvious sense to play a rotated line up in the group stages, have you seen how some of the games fall? I think one is between Chelsea and Liverpool away games!
Also, unlike the other cups, you can afford a crap result as you have other games to make it up.

The other thing, is when we talk rotation, we're talking bringing the likes of Rashford and Schneiderlin in, not Donald Love's crapper brother!
Which is exactly my point? Bring in TFM or Pereira, players who will actually benefit from that time on the pitch, not a shot Carrick.
 
Which is exactly my point? Bring in TFM or Pereira, players who will actually benefit from that time on the pitch, not a shot Carrick.

let's not overstate his demise eh.

He's still comfortable to play against some chumps from Austria
 
let's not overstate his demise eh.

He's still comfortable to play against some chumps from Austria
And so are our youngsters. What benefits are there to keeping him around when we could give them valuable first team experience?
 
Wouldn't you prefer to keep hold of one of the youngsters and play them in his place at a fraction of the wage?

the youngsters are better off going out on loan and playing everyweek rather than being stuck in the reserves and just getting a run out in the cups

Carrick still has plenty to offer anyway - people assumed he would barely play last season when the Schmdfield turned up but in fact he outperformed both of them.
 
Am I the only one who's happy Carrick is finally being zoned out? I think it means we've finally got our shit together in midfield and we can start using him as a highly useful squad player, especially in the run in. To clear myself up, Carrick has been vital to our success under SAF, a key cog in midfield, but let's be honest, most of us have been crying out since that great season from him in 12/13 that he simply needs replacing. We haven't just replaced him though, I'm sure we've never been stronger in midfield with the addition of Pogba.
 
Well, it is good that Jose is trying out other players/plan without relying on him too much. He will get games though and he is usually a very slow starter anyway. I would not mind at all if he does not play till like oct.

Also when blind is playing as CB, we don't really need another deep lying passer since blind can do it pretty decently.
 
He'll be captain of Europa league side surrounded mostly by younger and breakthrough players with a couple of other older heads with decent european experience. A few cup matches against weaker teams and maybe a steady the ship role occasionally in the Prem - gone next year - he's been a very decent player here without ever being outstanding
 
He'll be captain of Europa league side surrounded mostly by younger and breakthrough players with a couple of other older heads with decent european experience. A few cup matches against weaker teams and maybe a steady the ship role occasionally in the Prem - gone next year - he's been a very decent player here without ever being outstanding
Naa, for the cup matches sure but the Europa League I think we will be going all out. So he shouldn't be playing those unless there are injuries.
 
the youngsters are better off going out on loan and playing everyweek rather than being stuck in the reserves and just getting a run out in the cups

Carrick still has plenty to offer anyway - people assumed he would barely play last season when the Schmdfield turned up but in fact he outperformed both of them.
Not he didn't, he was equally bad if not worse, but it's Carrick, you're not allowed to say bad things about Carrick here.
 
In fairness, i'm not sure Carrick was ever a type of player anyone feared even when he was at his peak!

There's plenty of games for him to play a decent role.
When that blimming Europa kicks in, we'll need to rotate a lot.

He didn't need to be feared, teams knew they'd have to work with extreme cohesiveness to get past him. Alonso, Pirlo not feared but quality on and off the ball, that's what Carrick has, intelligence. He's still got a few years to give under Mourinho.
 
Not he didn't, he was equally bad if not worse, but it's Carrick, you're not allowed to say bad things about Carrick here.

That's laughable, Bastian was shite as was schneiderlin, tbf all our midfielders had a poor season, the only decent players were Carrick and Rooney.
 
Not he didn't, he was equally bad if not worse, but it's Carrick, you're not allowed to say bad things about Carrick here.

he was not worse then any they 2 last season, yes Carrick had bad games but he had more good games then they 2 did last season.
 
Well, it is good that Jose is trying out other players/plan without relying on him too much. He will get games though and he is usually a very slow starter anyway. I would not mind at all if he does not play till like oct.

Also when blind is playing as CB, we don't really need another deep lying passer since blind can do it pretty decently.

Blind and Carrick are worlds apart, I don't get this comparison between them. It's seems Carrick is very very underrated on here.
 
That's laughable, Bastian was shite as was schneiderlin, tbf all our midfielders had a poor season, the only decent players were Carrick and Rooney.
Unbelievable how he continues to get support despite being utterly shit for the last 3 years.

Blind and Carrick are worlds apart, I don't get this comparison between them. It's seems Carrick is very very underrated on here.
:lol::lol::lol:
 
Unbelievable how he continues to get support despite being utterly shit for the last 3 years.


:lol::lol::lol:

Care to explain what qualities blind has compared to Carrick?
It seems peoples opinions are jaded due to a DM playing at CB possessing good ball control, touch and basic passing ability from the back as a top class Midfielder. Blind is shite at DM, always has been for us and always will be just as he is for his national team. He's in no way, shape or form of the same calibre or cut from the same cloth. Good solid squad player. Nothing more.
 
Care to explain what qualities blind has compared to Carrick?
It seems peoples opinions are jaded due to a DM playing at CB possessing good ball control, touch and basic passing ability from the back as a top class Midfielder. Blind is shite at DM, always has been for us and always will be just as he is for his national team. He's in no way, shape or form of the same calibre or cut from the same cloth. Good solid squad player. Nothing more.

He's played one season for us at DM, where he was rotated to slot in at LB from time to time. If you were writing off players from one season then you might as well write off Vidic, Evra and Drogba.

Also, he wasn't shite at DM at all. Odd post all round.
 
Blind and Carrick are worlds apart, I don't get this comparison between them. It's seems Carrick is very very underrated on here.
No one is underrating carrick or comparing them. It is just stating that Blind can pass from the deep. It ends there.
 
He's played one season for us at DM, where he was rotated to slot in at LB from time to time. If you were writing off players from one season then you might as well write off Vidic, Evra and Drogba.

Also, he wasn't shite at DM at all. Odd post all round.

I'm not writing off Blind, I'm writing off the opinion that he's good enough to take over from Carrick. He's not good enough, there not many players that are. Carrick as a player is going to be difficult to replace.
He was poor for at DM, there would be no reason to buy Schneiderlin otherwise.
 
I'm not writing off Blind, I'm writing off the opinion that he's good enough to take over from Carrick. He's not good enough, there not many players that are. Carrick as a player is going to be difficult to replace.

You said Blind will always be shite for us at DM. He's barely played for us at DM, and when he did he certainly wasn't 'shite'.