Last night I dreamt that somebody loved me
It seems Manchester United’s very own ‘Marmite’ player Michael Carrick, may be set for another season of dividing opinion among Reds.
Yesterday’s Community Shield first half was not the finest display the midfielder has produced in a United shirt, but it was by no means the worst. Other than seven minutes of somewhat lackadaisical defending United dominated the first 45 and were desperately unlucky not to be going in on at least level terms.
The second half was a different story altogether as with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley replacing Rio Ferdinamd, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick.
United turned on the style in the second half with a simply awesome display with Cleverley, Nani and Rooney combining for a second goal that was quite simply breathtaking.
Cleverley had as good a 45 minutes as I’ve ever seen him play and has already been rewarded with an England call up.
Most of the criticism for United was aimed at David De Gea who was at fault for Edin Dzeko’s long range strike, although at 20 years old in his first big game in a Red shirt, a few jitters can be forgiven.
Some criticism was reserved for a certain former Spurs midfielder who despite carrying an injury which has now seen him sent home from the England camp, is still the preferred punching bag from many Reds looking at people to blame for yesterday’s anger inducing first half end.
“Shorn of the static Michael Carrick, United played their best football” “ponderous Carrick” “typically anonymous” “in one game we’ve seen why Cleverley and Ando should start ahead of Carrick” “Cleverley merely underlined Carrick’s impotence” “Cleverley >>>>>>>Carrick” “maybe SAF will finally realise Carrick is completely pointless to United”
Are just some of the tweets, blog posts and reviews I’ve seen over the past 24 hours describing Carrick. I realise that doesn’t mean he’s public enemy number Tevez but it’s certainly shows the low level of regard many Reds still have for a player who’s won four titles in five years.
If Anderson had had a quiet first half- a player many would argue has a lot more to prove than Carrick- would we have seen the interweb awash with such vitriol? I for one doubt it. I may be wrong but I believe we may see more Carrick bashing this season, as United’s unsung hero, finds himself being blamed for not doing things he’s not supposed to do anyway.
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So you think that people might be going over the top when judging Carrick’s performances. Instead of being awful in most games you’ve established that he had yet another average game in midfield. Either way, you seem to struggle to find any real positives when it comes to Carrick even though this article seems to be in his defense. Not really convincing is it? Lets not kid ourselves anymore. Carrick doesn’t have the testicular fortitude to be a real influential Man Utd player
It’s painfully clear that Carrick “stone shoes” is no longer capable of pulling the strings for united. The team was more impressive with the younglings in the squad, why? TEAM SPEED! We ran City off the ground yesterday because of our speed. SAF should make it a point for our defense to press high up the pitch so we can force the ball off of anybody (the way Barca does), we would have loads of possession to attack. Start Clev/Ando in the middle with Ash/Nani on the wings. Antonio is a good player but he’s no nani, nani can create and so far this year he’s tracking back to play defense too (see the barca friendly). Can u imagine when we get Chicha back? the speed of the team will be incredible, good luck to the rest of the EPL cause u will be playing for 2nd place
specially in the heart of the field which is exactly what we STILL lack.
Aside from winning the match yesterday, I think the best thing that could have happened for United was to see the youth players come out and run city into the dirt for 45. A lot has been said about the depth of the squad, but yesterday the young guns showed their strength. I only wish Rafael and Fabio were running the wings. Either way,I know it’s early days still, but I am feeling quite secure knowing that SAF has set up UNITED for years to come with this summers signings. G.G.M.U.
carrick is appalling. he’s made it worse by all those comments about stepping after scholes retired. he’s substandard at best and never there when we need him most.
Public enemy number Tevez. Brilliant.
i remember when Carrick was one of my best Reds. Truth be told though, the nucca has dipped badly. But i’m still sentimental towards him. On his good day, just FAB & MIKEL are better passers …… follow me @9ja_Whizkyd
Testicular fortitude! Nice!!
Indeed the only Positive thing in this article about carrick is that he has won four titles in five years…a fact that merely shows us that he somehow plays with some of the best players in the world… The best thing he does on a pitch is give the ball to someone else.. Not united quality….
Testicles!!
Bob you got it right, I’m beginning to think he might be color blind, he certainly doesn’t recognoze the color red. He is always giving the ball away and has no clue when to shoot and when he does it’s rarely on frame. I was very excited about his play the 1st 2 seasons but now I cringe when I see him starting. His preseason passing has been diabolical, does he even know his own teammates. I really like Cleverley, great vision, great 1st touch and passer of the ball. All the things that Carrick has seemed to have lost, plus Cleverley isn’t scared to shoot the ball. Time to give Cleverley the reigns and send Carrick to the bench.
Spot on Andrew! (& i’m borrowing the testicular fortitude comment!)
Look during Carrick’s 1st 2 seasons at United i was one of his biggest fans and was deligthed when we signed him but for whatever reason over the past 3 seasons his game has gone 1 way…..DOWNHILL!
He seems to justy let games pass him by, fine he doesn’t generally make too many glaring mistakes but thats usually because when he gets the ball it’s like someone’s just thrown him a ticking bomb and he can’t get rid of it quickly enough! And in getting rid of the ball his head only seems to work in 2 directions staring directly at the floor or backwards towards defence!
Carrick isn’t a bad player quite the opposite and that’s what is so frustrating he has everything needed to be a world class midfielder but for whatever reason he just can’t/doesn’t seem to use it anymore!
p.s “a player who’s won four titles in five years” there were 24 other players in the squad who won those trophies too he hardly won it on his own!
What’s up with you are Carrick? I guarantee he will not be a starter this season. When I saw he didn’t turn up for the season half, I thought we had chance. Thank God.
@Andrew, I couldn’t have said it better. I’ve never liked Carrick and now with our young players stepping up to the challenge, it just makes Carrick look even worse in comparison. People are saying we’re over hyping Cleverly, we’re not. He’s just shinning in a midfield that never had anyone shinning since Scholesy started to play less games due to his aging legs. Carrick is taken off, we score 3 goals. Come on what more evidence do you need? He needs to go
HE IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MAN U FIRST ELEVEN ANY MORE .D FIRST DAY I WATCHED CLEVY PLAY WAS AGAINST BARCA & I SAID AT LAST WE HAV GOT D ANSWER TO OUR MIDFIELD WOES. CLEVY AND ANDO ARE JUST THE PERFECT MIX WE NEED IF WE MUST START THINKING OF MATCHING D MIDFIELD OF-INIESTA,XAVI,BOSQUET.