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Manchester United's English midfielder Michael Carrick (R) vies with Athletic Bilbao's defender Fernando Amorebieta (C) as Athletic Bilbao's forward Gaizka Toquero (L) heads the ball during the UEFA Europe League round of 16 second leg football match Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United FC, at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on March 15, 2012. (AFP)
The question Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United and millions of Red Devil fans are asking Michael Carrick is - are you ready to bear the mantle of United’s holding midfielder.
A position so crucial to modern football, that English Premier League teams are scouring the world for talent to keep the ball when it matters. And make the tackle without giving away a penalty. Without the referee’s help.
Carrick failed on all counts yesterday as Sir Alex counted himself fortunate to have escaped a penalty being given when his great midfield hope brought down Fulham should have been awarded a late penalty when Michael Carrick fouled sub Danny Murphy.
Wayne Rooney’s winner lifted Manchester United back to the top of the table — but the hole in United’s midfield and their inability to keep the ball to close out a game is only getting worse.
It might be harsh to say right now, but Carrick could cost United the title.
Carrick actually boasts a high pass percentage and completes many of them. The problem is a lot of those passess are made sideways and often back, in an attempt to keep the ball.
When Manchester United played Athletic Club of Bilbao, that kind of passing was badly exposed.
The best quote on United in general comes from Sir Alex himself.
"We started giving the ball away and it was disappointing not to finish them off.”
It is the reason Paul Scholes is back. It is the reason Ryan Giggs is still there. But that is hardly a plan for the future.
Speaking to ManUtd.com, before the game, Carrick had said, “We can't rely on City to slip up - that's not how we want to win the league.
"We need to think about ourselves and do everything in our power to win our games.
“That's all we can do and that's all we're concentrating on."
Can United rely on Carrick not to slip up?
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