Why Carrick’s injury could damage Rooney’s early-season form

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick is a curiously divisive figure. While some Manchester United fans sing his praises and cite the fact that he completes more passes than almost any other player in the division, others feel he is a charlatan unworthy of being mentioned in the same breath as midfield stalwarts of yesteryear like Bryan Robson and Roy Keane.

In his autobiography, Sir Alex Ferguson stressed that Carrick tends to start seasons slowly and this year has been no different. An indifferent start was compounded by a shocking display at the Etihad in which he and Marouane Fellaini were totally overrun in the middle of the pitch. That 4-1 defeat was a chastening experience for fans and players alike and was undoubtedly the nadir of David Moyes’ early days in charge.

Despite his poor start, Carrick has an 86% pass accuracy this season, with only Aaron Ramsey and Yaya Toure completing more than passes than the United man. More surprising still, only two players at the club have created more chances this season, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra. Now he faces six weeks on the sidelines with an Achilles injury, Moyes needs to use the international break wisely and come up with a contingency plan.

Phil Jones excelled against Arsenal in the centre of midfield during the first half but it is all well and good fielding him there against a team likely to dominate possession but in games against weaker opposition it is far too negative a ploy. That being said, United produced their finest football this term in the opening twenty minutes away at Fulham with Jones and Tom Cleverley in the centre. On that occasion, as is so often the case, Wayne Rooney dropped back to aid the midfield time and again.

Indeed, Moyes would be wise to employ his talisman in midfield from the off in the absence of Carrick, assuming he is willing to do so given the furore around Sir Alex Ferguson playing him out of position. With Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck more than good enough to partner Robin van Persie up front, Rooney’s talents would be best utilised in midfield during the coming weeks, even if he is in sparkling form in his currently-occupied advanced role.

For the bona fide midfielders, now is the time to prove their worth. It is high time Cleverley produced performances to match the faith that has been shown in him. At 24, he should no longer be viewed as a young player tentatively attempting to fulfil his potential. So far this season he has completed just 391 passes (roughly half that of Carrick) and, tellingly, created a mere six chances. Meanwhile, in his six appearances, Fellaini has created just one chance and his 88% pass accuracy is misleading given he has played within himself and opted for the easy option and regularly sought out the nearest player to him.

Number of chances created by Manchester United midfielders this season

While Carrick might not be a truly world-class player, absence could just make the heart grow fonder for certain United supporters. Particularly if no deputy is able to adequately replace him in the matches to come.