Manchester United’s troubles did not seem like ending anytime soon after a 2-1 loss against Fenerbahce in the Europa League. The defeat puts the team on the brink of missing out on a place in the knockout stages, but more importantly, it increases pressure on manager Jose Mourinho even more. The Portuguese came out with a public criticism of his players for the first time since taking over. He questioned the commitment of the United stars after letting in yet another early goal.
Club legend Paul Scholes says that it is high time Mourinho considered the inclusion of Michael Carrick in the team on a regular basis. In the four games Carrick has featured for the club, United were like a team possessed. Despite being 35, the midfielder showed his agility by tracking back almost the entire length of the pitch in order to win the ball against Sergio Aguero in the recent League Cup meeting with Manchester City. Ironically, United have won every game Carrick has played.
In his defence, Mourinho will point out to the age of the player and that it is time to look at the future. However, Scholes says that United’s performances are degrading so fast that it may be at least three or four years before a squad is built capable of challenging for the title. According to the Metro, he said:
“Michael Carrick’s a prime example, is he injured, is he [Mourinho] saving him for Sunday?
“He’s played in the cup games, and whenever he’s played they’ve looked a different team, I think they’ve won most of their games with him in the team.
“It’s helped Pogba, a bit of experience next to him.”
Carrick was not even on the bench for the game against Fenerbahce, as Mourinho went with the midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and, in a rare appearance, Morgan Schneiderlin. Despite fielding the three in midfield, United would constantly overrun by the home team. They conceded after just a minute on the clock. Scholes questioned whether Mourinho was resting the former England international with a view of starting him in the weekend’s game against Swansea City.
He believes that Carrick would have given the younger players a much more stable platform to build upon. It is not surprising that Scholes has come out with such a comment. After all, it was Scholes who moulded Carrick into one of the top players at United after he arrived as a talented midfielder from Tottenham for a whopping £18 million – a substantial fee back in 2006.
Paul Pogba went off injured during the game and he is now a major doubt for the game against Swansea. As Marouane Fellaini (injury) and Ander Herrera (suspension) will also be unavailable, it potentially could lead to Carrick returning to the starting line-up. The 35-year-old featured in only two games during the month of October.