The Red Report: Derbies, Ole, Carrick and a Geordie!
Our third United topic is another player debate: recently Michael Carrick
has returned from injury and become an important part of the midfield again as his
form has returned. He is rejuvenated…
Kyle | Stretford-End: Michael Carrick has
managed to rediscover his form just in time. A month ago I honestly thought his
United career was drawing to a close, but he’s stepped up his performances to a
whole other level and he is starting to look like the Carrick we all used to know
and love. Against City he was arguably one of our best performers and his passing
that game is exactly what this team has been in need of. I don’t want to get carried
away though. He’s had a couple of really good games now, but for all we know it may
just be a fluke. I think we was headed for the exit door, but if his performances
remain consistent at this level then I think he’ll still have a future here.
It isn’t all about his future, but also what his rejuvenation will bring to the
squad. I don’t think it was any coincidence that we won the Premier League three
years in a row after Carrick’s arrival in 2006. When Carrick is in form, he is an
incredible passing threat in midfield. He has the ability to unlock a defence with
his passes, and that is something we’ve been in need of this season. He can’t run at
a defence, he isn’t particular creative, he lacks any sense of flair, but he will
pass his opponent to death. Now that he’s starting to rediscover his form I think
his ability to create goals will be crucial moving forward this season.
Chudi | The Busby Way: Michael Carrick’s return
to form has been long overdue when on top of his game he is a huge asset to the team
as he showed this past week. It was painful to watch some of his performances last
term especially against Bayern Munich but if he can put that behind him and return
to giving us the level of performances that he has previously he will go a long way
to wipe away those memories.
Doron | Stretford-End: It’s a real bonus to
have Carrick playing well again. He struggled to adapt to a formation change last
year and although he produced a brilliant performance in the Carling Cup 2nd leg in
a 4-5-1, generally the three man midfield didn’t suit him.
Carrick is best sitting deep, doing exactly what Scholes does. However it’s good to
see he’s worked hard to be able to play a bit further forward. We all know his ball
retention is excellent and he’s a superb passer. What I think would be nice now
would be a few more goals. However it’s no coincidence that the side’s return to
winning has coincided with his return to form.
Siddarth | Bangalore to Old Trafford: For me
it’s too early to say Carrick has rediscovered his form, he may have done well in
the previous few games, but i think he;s needs to be consistent over a longer period
of time before he convinces me that he’s back to his best.
Carrick at his best is an asset to any team in the, he’s a key player in the team
and hopefully he does regain his form. But if he doesn’t i think it’s time we look
at other options to improve our midfield. we can’t wait forever for Carrick to
rediscover his form. I’ll just wait and watch for now.
TG | ManUtd24: Carrick has long been my
favourite player, so it was more than a minor irritant watching him play last
season. It wasn’t exactly dreadful, but I know he’s a better player than that – he
was the inspiring figure behind our challenges for past silverware. Hopefully, the
old Carrick has returned.
Alan | RedForceRising: I’m fairly satisfied
with Carrick’s recent performances, but he has a lot to make up for. Michael Carrick
has been completely below par since the Champions League final in Rome where
Barcelona had their way with United. In some games last season, Carrick was totally
abysmal and while he seems to have found some form recently, he still hasn’t hit the
highs from his debut season.
It has been good to see Michael actually pass the ball forward for a change and show
some semblance of determination, but he owes it to himself, his team mates and the
fans to kick on from here. On his day, Michael Carrick is one of the best passers of
the ball and he needs to start showing his quality, as well as determination to do
everything for the United cause.
As frustrating as it’s been to watch a player out of form for so long, he’s a
big asset to United when he’s fit, something we can all agree on.
As per usual we decided to look at a non-United topic. All the chatter at
the moment seems to be about Andy Carroll – on the pitch, off the pitch, for
England…what do we think about him:
Chudi | The Busby Way: I like Andy Carroll, he
gave us trouble at the start of the season and that should have set alarm bells
ringing for the rest of the league as he has gone about scoring goals for newly
promoted Newcastle. I had a friendly bet with my pal’s step dad over how many goals
he would get this season, he is well on his way to the 15 target with 7 already.
Some people are worried about his off field antics but despite his stature, he is
just 21 an age where mixing fame and money will inevitably lead to some problems but
he isn’t too far gone and if kept on a leash it shouldn’t affect his playing career.
Doron | Stretford-End: I’ve made it clear
before that I’m not really that bothered by England. Yes I’ll cheer them at summer
tournaments but Man United is my true love. However, I do get angry when in form
players are not selected for their country. Andy Carroll’s form merits not only a
call up but high praise. He’s been a real handful for opposition defences and with
the help of his team mates he has propelled Newcastle to 5th.
He’s a young kid who’s made mistakes of the pitch. He’s not the kind of guy I’d want
to be mates with!!!! Whilst I hope he grows up, I accept that he’s a footballer and
should judge him by his on the pitch form.
Siddarth | Bangalore to Old Trafford: Don’t let
Andy Carroll’s pony tail fool you, he’s a classic English Center forward, Physical,
good in the air and a pretty good finisher. He’s been pivotal to Newcastle’s
excellent start to the season so far. His Off-field antics though have been widely
publicized but I think it’s best I leave it at that much.
England could do with a striker like him, he’s a better option for England than the
likes of Crouch or Heskey. and he fully deserves a call up to the national team.
Newcastle won’t be able to keep hold of him much longer I think, he’s surely
destined for a bigger club soon.
Kyle | Stretford-End: Being from the United
States, I’m not really too concerned by his impending call up to the England squad,
but I do have to give credit where credit is due. It’s easy to get caught up in all
of his off-the-field antics, but the same can be said of a certain striker that we
signed from Everton. On the pitch, Andy Carroll has been magnificent and has played
a major role in all of Newcastle’s early season successes. Seven goals in thirteen
appearances this season is certainly a great return from a young striker. I may not
be an England supporter, but it will be nice to see Carroll rewarded for his form
this season.
TG | ManUtd24: He’s an English star in the
making. Why? Plenty of goals on the pitch, plenty of controversy off it. Perfect!
What I would say is that he should continue doing what he’s doing (on the pitch,
that is) and he’ll soon reap the rewards for it. And, like I did Wayne Rooney and
various other player, I’ll only judge him on what he does on the football pitch.
Alan | RedForceRising: Andy Carroll likes girls
and McDonald’s breakfasts. He also likes to score goals. He’s also pretty good to
have in your fantasy football team.He’s also gotten rid of the dodgy corn rows, so
I’m finding it difficult to dislike this archetypal English centre forward. Carroll
has been called up to England’s squad to face France and although he probably won’t
receive playing time, it’s still nice to see players getting picked on form and not
reputation.
If Danny Welbeck can develop into 90% of the player Carroll is, I would be quite
chuffed.
Future star in the making?
————
Best of the blogs:
The Busby Way | Just A Blue Moon In A Red Sky
Stretford-End | Stretty Rant Exclusive : More Than Just A
Game
Bangalore to Old Trafford | Young Devils On Brink
ManUtd24 | The Key To United’s Challenge Lies At The Back
RedForceRising | Loan Watch: Welbeck Impresses, Drinkwater Back
From Injury
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That concludes another Red Report for the week. Hopefully this edition keeps you
entertained until next Monday. Were always open to hear from you so you can catch us
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