Is Ander Herrera more vital than Michael Carrick now?

Here’s something we haven’t said in a while United fans, Manchester United have got a solid midfield!

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has finally found that ‘balance’ he’s been talking about for so long, with Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini providing the guile, composure and physicality combo that the Dutchman loves to have in his midfield trio.

While van Gaal has admitted he longs for a box-to-box midfielder to link defence and attack and help the more creative players in the summer, likely to replace Marouane Fellaini as a permanent starter, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick have shone together.

Carrick’s experience and calm head have seen him promoted to vice-captain under Louis van Gaal, with United’s best spells of form coinciding with the 33 year-old’s return to action both times. Back in July, Carrick picked up an achilles injury and was ruled out for three months, finally returning in mid November. On the back of that, the Reds went on a seven game winning streak and remained unbeaten for 19 games.

Credit: Squawka Comparison Complex

Ander Herrera’s rise to indispensability has been very different however. After a superb summer tour, Herrera’s start to the Premier League season was indifferent. He struggled in the opening game against Swansea but turned in decent performances up until breaking his rib against West Ham. He was rushed back for the game against West Brom, before turning in a stinker and being replaced by Fellaini at half-time.

The Belgian turned the game in United’s favour with a goal and all-round terrific performance and hasn’t looked back since. Herrera though, started just five games in the following three months and was restricted to substitute appearances as United were forced to change it up on several occasions through poor performances.

He kept plugging away though as he scored goals against Yeovil, Cambridge and Swansea as well as claiming assists against Hull, Stoke and Cambridge. van Gaal explained his omisison from the side was because Herrera couldn’t perform tactically what was asked of him yet, which Herrera admitted later, but has since gone on to become a crucial cog in the Manchester United machine.

With the Spaniard proving to be the creative, box-to-box force that United have missed in recent years and Carrick continuing to be the perfect foil for Louis van Gaal’s attacking players to express themselves. But which is really the most crucial?

We’ve seen on countless occasions this season how much the midfield lacks when either player miss out. With no Herrera there is no impetus for a forward pass and driving run from deep to create that extra man in the box. With no Carrick there’s no calm in midfield and no risqué passing to get the ball to the feet of the creative players.