Gary Neville: Manchester United badly miss Michael Carrick

Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2015 by Thepeoplesperson.com

Gary Neville firmly believes Michael Carrick‘s absence and Manchester United’s downturn in form is no coincidence.

The 33-year-old has been injured for the last two games and both have ended in defeat despite Man United going into the Chelsea game off the back of a six game winning streak.

Carrick’s role in front of the defence has certainly been key this season and speaking to Sky Sports after Man United’s 3-0 loss to Everton, Neville insisted the influence of Carrick on Louis van Gaal‘s side is more than just about the control he brings.

''When Michael Carrick doesn’t play, their record without him shows he is missed,” Neville added.

''It is not just the control and composure, but it is his forward passes, he just moves the ball forward into good areas quickly.

''When United won the ball back today they didn’t get the ball forward quick enough.

''Michael Carrick does that. Even if it is only a 10-yard pass, he gets the move moving in the right way.

''They miss him badly, they really do. It is no coincidence they have lost the last two games without him.”

Neville is definitely right that Carrick is missed but when you take a look at the three goals United conceded today, they were all just examples of terrible defending more than anything else. So, while Carrick may have hypothetically stopped those situations from arising in the first place, United’s problems weren’t solely down to the fact Carrick didn’t play.

With two weeks training under his belt now and another full week ahead of him, fans are certainly hoping to see Carrick return next weekend against West Bromwich Albion because two consecutive losses has put United under some pressure.