Manchester United need Michael Carrick against Chelsea

Manchester United’s Michael Carrick limped off the pitch at Old Trafford on Sunday due to a calf injury and will look to regain his fitness before a crucial match at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

Carrick has been a linchpin for United this season, with the Red Devils only losing once with the midfielder in the squad. When Carrick was dealing with a muscle injury in January, the Mancunians struggled to beat West Ham and Newcastle while also losing to Swansea. The Reds also struggled in the early portion of the season whilst the midfield general was sidelined due to an ankle injury.

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His contribution to the squad cannot be overlooked, but often it’s missed because it’s so well hidden. Unlike the other midfielders in Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, or Marouane Fellaini, Carrick rarely finds himself on the scoring sheeting. He’s seldom the subject of a highlight for a beautiful goal or a bit of trickery, but without him, United are far worse off.

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To the untrained eye, it seems as though the England international is never involved. But to those who look more carefully, Carrick orchestrates the attack and buttresses the defense. He’s the first line of support when United are trying to hold the opposition and he’s the first outlet pass as the play transitions into attack.

Where the England international excels is his intelligence of the game. In defense, he can read the opposition’s eyes and make a crucial interception. In attack, he can play a seemingly eye-of-the-needle type through-ball to cut open a back line. As a player with consistent composure and calm on the ball, he can slow down a frenzied bit of play to allow his squad to regain its shape. With Carrick as the anchor in the midfield, the other attacking options are free to roam and venture further forward without fear of creating a gap in the center third of the pitch.

Against the Citizens, per Barney Ronay of the Guardian, Carrick touched the ball 71 times, the most of any attacking player, and made the most passes with the highest completion percentage of any of the starters. Other than City’s first goal from a James Milner through-pass, the 33-year-old controlled the flow of the game from the midfield. City was unable to break through United’s ranks again until Carrick was forced to the bench due to injury.

As such, Louis van Gaal will be counting his blessings in the hopes that Carrick can pass his fitness tests ahead of a top-tier clash with Chelsea on the weekend. While the Blues are on a three match winning streak, the results have hardly been convincing with each win coming by a single goal advantage against mid-table to bottom-half opponents. The most recent win against QPR came off of an 88th minute winner from Cesc Fabregas who currently leads the league in assists.

Carrick could very well find himself matched up against Fabregas should he return for the match. The individual match-up could go a long way in determining the ultimate winner of the fixture, as both players are key components to their respective squads. Moreover, as Paul Ansorge of Bleacher Report points out, Carrick being absent could have a “domino effect” on the United team. Daley Blind would likely be first to move into the holding mid position, thus pushing Rojo or Shaw into the left back spot; both switches represent downgrades from the current personnel.

With the season nearing its curtain call and a second place finish well within reach, and the increased financial reward and Champions League qualification that comes with it, Michael Carrick’s return to fitness will be crucial for United’s late season push.

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