Amid an array of superstar names that comprise the current Manchester United squad, it is Michael Carrick who has become integral to Old Trafford’s resurgence this season.
After a month-long absence in February due to a calf injury, his return to the side has coincided with the club’s terrific recent run of form, culminating in a 4-2 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Functioning as the axis in centre midfield, often dropping in between the centre-backs, Carrick is the inception of many United attacks. Consequently, the Geordie will seldom register an assist or pen himself on the scoresheet – he has made two assists and scored one goal in 1,465 minutes of Premier League football this season.
It’s what Carrick does off the scoresheet that matters, though. A reciprocal understanding with the centre-backs sees Carrick move into space to receive the ball when the centre-backs are under pressure, and vice versa. Furthermore, when any player in the midfield or on the wings is unsure of whom to pass to, Carrick will sure enough be in space, ready to start another attack.
On Sunday he completed 54 passes – more than any other player in the game – at a 92% success rate. On a pitch boasting the passing maestros of David Silva, Yaya Toure and Juan Mata, such statistics are poignant.
It’s also Carrick’s forward-thinking approach in the midfield which makes United a relentless attacking threat to the opposition. Over the season, the proportion of Carrick’s passes which have been played forward lies at 72.2%, as opposed to United’s other option in centre-midfield, Daley Blind, whose forward pass rate is at 67.8%.
Blind’s lack of incisiveness in the deep-playmaker role hasn't been helped by the short length of his passes, too. The average length of the Dutchman’s forward passes this season is 18 metres, whereas Carrick’s is 20 metres. Though a difference of 2 metres may not seem vast, from such a large sample size it is a prominent figure. Plus, just think, it’s the length of a Peter Crouch.
This attributes to why United have an improved attacking impetus when Carrick occupies the midfield axis position, as has been the case in their terrific performances recently. Such a fine run of form coinciding with Carrick’s return to the side is no coincidence and it hasn't gone unnoticed.
The role of a midfield axis is understated, but with Pep Guardiola’s iconic Champions League-winning side of 2011 popularising the position due to Sergio Busquets’ proficient performing of the role, players like Carrick are receiving more recognition.
At the ripening footballer age of 33, Carrick’s downplayed successful career will soon come to an end. Whether future players occupying the midfield, stringing passes together and breaking up play will be referred to as “doing a Carrick” or “doing a Busquets” remains to be seen, but a certain few folk in Manchester will be sure to hail the legacy of Mr. Understated.
(Stats via Squawka)
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Source: DSG
