Carrick set to return

October 30, 2007

MICHAEL Carrick could be in contention to face Arsenal this weekend with the midfielder expected to be given the all clear to resume training this week.

Carrick dislocated his elbow in the Champions' League victory over Roma last month - and his return will be welcome news following Paul Scholes' lengthy lay off with knee ligament damage.

Indeed Carrick could be the big winner at Manchester United following Scholes' injury, which will keep him out for three months.

While his absence is undoubtedly bad news for the champions, it offers Carrick a route back into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice line-up.

The former Tottenham man's swift recovery means he could even make the squad for Saturday's trip to the Emirates Stadium.

He will be thirsting for an opportunity to shine with many expecting him to be on the fringes following Owen Hargreaves' return to fitness.

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TMUF, Manchester (30/10/2007 at 10:36)

I think if Carrick is fit enough, he should play.

He was our best player in both games last season and I feel he provides us with so much more posession, which will be key against Arsenal, especially with Scholes out.

Anderson has done brilliantly and I think he should also retain his place. I would play 4-3-3 with Hargreaves and go with Ronaldo,Rooney and Tevez.

I doubt it though as I think Giggs was rested for the Arsenal game and with Scholes missing, we could do with his experience. In that case, I would put Carrick on the bench and play an unchanged team (except Giggs for Nani).

I pray Evra is back though as we could really do with his ability against Arsenal!

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (30/10/2007 at 10:44)

tough game at emrites stadium this weekend..a draw will be a good result as arsenal playing the "united" style with confidence and stylish football..team full of youthful talent

team for saturday..

vandersar
brown vidic ferdinand evra
carrick anderson hargreaves
ronaldo tevez rooney

subs:
giggs nani o`shea fletcher kuscazaz

Hangey, Luxury Hill !! (30/10/2007 at 11:09)

I hope Carrick & OH Form a great Partnership but i except Anderson to be involved as well ! I think Scholes;Giggs;Nevile and VDS will from now onwards just be at the club to pass down their precious experience to the young onces cos from next season this will be United`s lineup for many years to come: Foster; Evra;Vidic/Evans;Pique;Brown/Simpson; Ronaldo;Anderson/Carrick;OH;Nani; Rooney& Tevez! GGU!!

edinburgh red, edinburgh (30/10/2007 at 11:22)

Def not a favourite of mine and he is fortunate that there are injuries as he wouldn't get further than the bench if I picked the team, I cant recall him being the best player for us against arsenal, last season at home everyone was mince and at the emirates i recall carrick sitting off there midfielders allowing them to take shots and pass the ball about.

Mick, Dublin (30/10/2007 at 11:31)

Agree with your line-up, TMUF but I can see Anderson being dropped for Giggs. He;s been brilliant but nobody would have expected him to have played so much football already this season and I can see Fergie opting for experience over youth, in such a massive game.

Not saying that's the team I want him to play, mind you, just saying that's the team I expect him to play.

Sparky, Salford (30/10/2007 at 11:48)

Hope he is fit to start. I fancy SAF will go with 3 in CM with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez up front. Worried to hear that Rio might be struggling. Hope he gets through Saturday and suggest they get his groin sorted then. He was struggling at the end of last season so why was it not sorted in the summer?

Palmer, London (ex Didsbury) (30/10/2007 at 11:49)

Hangey, Luxury Hill,

Seems like you have written Rio off too? You the Hatchet Man!

Rob86, manchester (30/10/2007 at 12:15)

Timely comeback with scholesy's lay off. i am a fan of carricks,he is a class player and those who criticise him on this page cannot only not appreciate football properly but are blind to results as well.His intelligent and slick passing should be the perfect foil to hargreaves' hustle and bustle,especially up against a strong midfield at the emirates. I have my suspicions that he will only be on the bench and fergie will drop anderson and nani in favour of giggs and fletcher/o'shea. it would be great to see anderson play and do well,but in such a high-pressure game i think it will be to soon,although saying that he did well against arsenal for porto last season. Hopefully we will see afew goals with our miserly defence and holy trinity of ronaldo,rooney and tevez proving the difference.

Birdy, Ireland (30/10/2007 at 12:21)

It would be harsh to drop Anderson after his recent performances. Its a tough one to call. I'm not Carrick's biggest fan, but I can see SAF opting for him and OH against Arsenal, probably with Anderson actually, in a 433. I'd be really interested to see how we'd do going with the team we've had the last few wks, with Rooney and Tevez up top. SAF in recent yrs though hasnt often gone 2 up front in big games. Presumably Carrick's fitness wont have dropped off much given that it was only an arm injury. If it has, it would have to be a bit of a concern starting with 2 players, him and OH, who arent 100% fit. I'd stick with OH and Anderson, have the courage to play our own game. Its not often that straight forward though. I'm glad i'm not in SAF's position making these big calls!

Steve, Glossop (30/10/2007 at 12:36)

If Carrick hadn't got injured would Anderson have had the opportunities to shine? This is Carrick's chance as he's clearly 4th choice CM in a fit squad which admittedly is a rare thing these days. Maybe Alex will put Fletch in to stick to Fabregas? Anyone but JOS in the middle.

Jrogger, Sheffield (30/10/2007 at 12:44)

I have generally been a fan of Carrick as I think he gives us great possession retention and good long-range passing. However, I think Anderson offers similar options and more. Plus Anderson is far more forward-facing than Carrick and is great with the quick forward pass that opens up teams. Carrick doesn't seem to play such passes as much. I suppose Anderson's passes can lose possession if done too often but he seems to have good accuracy.

mylifeinthemafia (30/10/2007 at 12:52)

Anderson and Hargreaves. It's that simple.

Shaz Leicester (30/10/2007 at 13:09)

Rob86 I hope that your predictions of playing Fletcher / O'Shea are not true. The thought of one of those two plodders going up against Cesc and Rosicky gives me nightmares!(No, no, no, no ....No!!) Let's play the fluent, quick passing game we have been plying without either of these two breaking it up with cr*p passing. For me either a midfield trio of Owen, Carrick and Anderson with Owen and Carrick sitting to counter Cesc and Anderson breaking forward to support Ron, Waz and Carlito. OR 4-4-2 with OH/MC starting and Giggs and Ronnie on the wings. Backline picks itself with Evra to provide the zip to counter Eboue. Can't wait!

Jesse Cole (30/10/2007 at 13:14)

I personally think we should play with a mostly unchanged lineup; bring Evra (if fit) in for O'Shea and Giggs in for Nani. Experience over youthful energy. Hargreaves and Anderson in the centre; we need the defensive protection and a someone to penetrate Arsenal's often shakey back line respectively. Who better than those two?

4-4-2: Giggs - Anderson - Hargreaves - Ronaldo - Tevez - Rooney - the front line picks itself.

The main fear I have with 4-3-3 is our wingers possibly drifting into midfield roles and leaving Rooney isolated with Anderson being unable to provide the service in a cramped midfield. Or, on the other hand, sacrificing a solid midfield unit for attacking flair when we already have plenty of both. We'd be outnumbered in passing play like Old Trafford last season.

Subs: Kuszczak, Pique, Simpson, Oshea, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani.

I like Carrick, he's a great player with a great range of passing, but his lack of midfield versatility could hurt us more than help us against the pacier Gunners. There's also the possibility of post-injury rustiness to contend with; having been out for several weeks. As for Nani; his role speaks for itself. If we need more penetration or a faster pace then he can provide it.

tooth&claw, manchester (30/10/2007 at 13:38)

Steve, Glossop. Carrick is clearly 4th choice? Where did you get that from? Nothing has happened to suggest that at all. If anything, the evidence points to SAF thinking that Carrick\Hargreaves was his default pairing this season. But for injury I think Carrick would have played most games this season.

Sparky, Salford (30/10/2007 at 13:49)

Steve - I think OH will be put on Fabregas. I would not be surprised if Fletcher comes in and Anderson retains his place with Tev, Ron and Roon up front although i don't think it would be a surprise if Giggs gets the nod. If everybody is available i expect the definate starters to be VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, OH, Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney. Giggs, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher and Nani are competing for the last 2 places. I'd love it to be Nani and Anderson but expect Fletcher and Giggs will get the nod. Carrick won't be ready.

Duncan, London (30/10/2007 at 14:33)

I think he may Steve. My big problem with Carrick is that he isn't a high tempo player and Arsenal are a high tempo team who will allow him very little time on the ball. And while possession is also key their energy will overwhelm us if we don't have a similarly energetic midfield and one that works hard to break up their rhythm.

Its a pity Scholes isn't fit as he is excellent with limited space and time on the ball. I hope Anderson starts because he does have the energy, passing ability and movement which will be a real asset against Arsenal. Fletcher (I know I will get slated for that one) and Hargreaves sitting behind Anderson with Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney up top may be the best formation. Four busy attack minded players that don't mind tackling (I've noticed even Ronaldo is weighing in these days).

Can't wait to see Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo matched up against their defence though. Fingers crossed Ever Ready is back from his injury as left back would be the weak link otherwise (Simpson over O'Shea for me).

Demo, Glossop (30/10/2007 at 14:39)

im a fan of carricks and if he is fully fit and sharp play him otherwise stick him on the bench! OH def needs to play and stick to fab like glue!

Anderson should play as he has done well and will be good to see how he copes against good opposition! prob start with giggs rather than nani simply for experience and control of play.

we def need evra and rio fit for this game. i cant wait for sat.

my line up
vds, evra, rio, vida, brown, giggs, oh, anderson, ronaldo, rooney and tevez

then take off giggs for carrick or nani

Steve, Glossop (30/10/2007 at 14:55)

Tooth & Claw IMO most United fans after seeing the players would agree that Carrick is the 4th best. The tempo is much higher & more entertaining & clearly successful without him in the side.

Sparky you're probably right about OH. But the plucky Godson can harass quite well at times though Fabregas could make him look daft.

Birdy, Ireland (30/10/2007 at 15:10)

Jesse how do you make out Carrick is a great player? What exactly does it take in your book to be a great player? I consider Scholes to be a great player. Carrick is not and never will be a great player.

Roy (30/10/2007 at 15:28)

"Carrick is not and never will be a great player" - Birdy, you may be right but let's see how he performs with the added competition.

For the record and yes, it was one game only, but Carrick was truly great in the 7:1 Roma defeat.

Eoin, Dublin (30/10/2007 at 16:00)

Carrick- 16m

Elano- 8m

It's time to play.....

Who's been ripped off!!!

JonyB-), North Staffs (30/10/2007 at 16:10)

sorry birdy but this is getting an old argument. We all agree Scholes as been a great player for us. Whilst his form this year as not been as dynamic i felt until his recent injury we were seeing him find hisniche in this formation.

But Carricks's form can not be ignored. We won the league based on his and Scholes brilliant partnership giving a basis for our excellent forward play of Rooney/Ronaldo and Giggs!!
He scored more Goals than at any time in his career. Theplayers appreciate him. The Paundits appreciate him. The manager appreciates him.

Exactly what degree should we hold your opinion compared to theirs of a excellent player who has given his all for UTD last season!!

Carrick is a UTD playerof quality and i for one will give my whole support to him!!

The futures a Red Devil!!

Ali the red, zed (30/10/2007 at 16:15)

Better use Anderson than Carrick... maybe he can do better as an attackin midfielder. I have little respect for a central player who goes thru a game with his pants still snow white. Carrick might give you one or two passes but he really needs to start goin down..he has almost zero tackle rate and hes' a bit too lazy for the new RED WAVE led by the ROOTEV.. he needs to up his game- get more yellow cards -and play hard ball. COME ON YOU REDS

Ali the red, zed (30/10/2007 at 16:22)

AIT that ironic..... i can pick out very few games wen carrick radiated great skill and control...... but sorry REDS, am a man U fan not a CITY fan..... i dont need average players, i need the very best...... though fergie will start him on sunday, its only a matter of time b4 Anderson takes control..... Fletcher must equally gooooooooo. COME ON YOU REDS

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