According to Mourinho, Michael Carrick is too old to play every game despite admitting that he likes the English midfielder. So what’s stopping him?
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, used himself as an example to why midfield anchor Carrick can’t play every game. The Red Devils boss claimed that just as he couldn’t play every game due to his age, neither can Carrick.
However, United fans might’ve been left scratching their heads due to his continued reliance on a 35 year old forward in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Carrick is of the same age and has the same if not more importance in this United squad so why can’t he feature regularly?
To be fair to Mourinho, he has claimed previously that Zlatan’s age isn’t reflected in his play but the same can be said about Carrick. Other than his lack of pace showing (something Zlatan doesn’t have either) there’s no really showing that Carrick is too old to play every game.
Most fans won’t even be asking for the Englishman to be played every game but there’s definitely a drop in his number of games from last season. Carrick has only featured twice in 11 Premier League games, both of which United won comfortably. Both were also demolitions of a team within one half, Leicester 4-1 and Swansea 3-1.
The anchorman has featured in 6 games in total of which United won all 6. Surely this cannot be a coincidence? There’s no doubt that the 35 year old can’t feature every game but surely he should feature more regularly, particularly because United still look better with him in the side.
So why does Mourinho not want to play him?
The answer is simpler than it seems. It’s not because the United boss doesn’t rate Carrick or thinks his age is a factor but rather it’s something else behind the scenes. When Carrick wasn’t being offered a new deal as late as the FA cup final last year, there were rumours he was going to retire.
Reports said he was seen with his family saying goodbye to important United figures and friends as the midfielder believed it was his last season in football due to no new contract being offered. However, Mourinho came in and quickly sorted this out. Citing his experience and leadership as the reasons why Carrick was still needed.
This is probably why he hasn’t featured as often as last season. Not due to age or form but rather that he is being phased out slowly in what is almost definitely his last season at the club. It’s hardly likely that he will renew his contract for another year if he isn’t getting much game time and will be 36 years old next season.
Mourinho is simply trying to move United on from the teams reliance on Carrick as he won’t be around much longer. This is in the hopes that when Carrick does hang up his boots, United won’t feel a gaping hole in the midfield.
The issue is that while Mourinho has given chances to players so that they would step up to take his place, hardly anyone has really made a claim for his position. Herrera has by far been United’s most impressive midfielder but even he isn’t in the same mould as Carrick.
The Portuguese boss is trying to find a formula that works for the team without Carrick being included in it as he prepares for life after the talismanic midfielder retires. However, due to poor results and increasing pressure he’s been forced into playing Carrick.
Carrick’s Influence-
The first time Carrick featured in the Premier League was after two consecutive losses to City and Watford when it looked like the squad was spiralling downwards. The second time he featured was when United went without a win in the Premier League for four games.
It was at crucial moments that Carrick came in for the squad and while Mourinho will be happy with the result, he will be unsatisfied that the team still relies on a player that will not be here next year.
This might’ve been one of the main reasons Pogba was brought in as he has the potential to be the best midfielder in the world. It could also be why United didn’t sell any midfielders even though that department is packed with players.
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This could also explain the Schweinsteiger situation and why Mourinho brought him back to train with the squad to give them a much needed lift. He claimed it was in case of injuries but there wasn’t a single midfielder injured at the time. He must be hoping the German’s professionalism and mentality might rub off on his mentally weak squad.
So is Mourinho right in not playing Carrick in every game? Perhaps, if the above reasons are his actual reasons then it makes sense. Otherwise it doesn’t because Carrick regularly proves his worth.
What do you think? Do you think Mourinho is right in how he manages Carrick or do you think the midfielder deserves more game time? Let us know in the comments section below!