Michael Carrick has been a very well admired footballer for over a decade now. Even during his Tottenham days, the central midfielder was highly rated, both internationally and domestically for his passing range and composure. After his big money move to Manchester United, he only got better with his vision and technique. Alongside Paul Scholes, he also found an excellent mentor and guide who helped him with the nitty gritty side of the game, something which helped him grow as a footballer. Over the years, Carrick has only grown in stature, until the 2012-13 season, when his brilliance in midfield led the Old Trafford crowd to sing, ” It’s not Scholes, it’s Carrick you know”.

Playing Style:

Michael Carrick is a unique player, in the sense he can play practically any role in central midfield, from deep lying playmaker to box to box midfielder. A number of coaches have used him in a number of position, but his best came out in that central defensive midfielder role. He is the kind of player who likes to sit in front of the back four, give them protection as well as ensure that the team isn’t dragged out of shape. Gifted with an exceptional passing ability, the pass master has been at the heart of a lot of attacking moves over the years. Not blessed with great pace, he can, however, not only keep the ball but also, make good use of it, a fact that has also helped him win everything at the club level.

Current form:

At 34 years of age, Carrick isn’t getting any younger and sadly that is being reflected in his performances. Inconsistency is slowly creeping in, and the fact that both van Gaal and David Moyes have used him out of position( mostly as a backup central defender) hasn’t helped a lot either. He is yet to register a single goal or assist this season, but still he is one of the best midfielders United have this season.

Verdict:

England should definitely take him to the Euros, given how under utilised he has been for his national side. Plus, Carrick’s experience and leadership is something that the likes of Delle Ali and co. can learn from.