Michael Carrick gives Jose Mourinho food for thought as he inspires United win

21 September 2016 09:59

Michael Carrick HAS to play against Leicester at the weekend after providing Manchester United with what they have been missing in recent games - a calming influence.

Cynics will, of course, point to the fact 'it was only Northampton Town' but Carrick was a class apart with his composure on the ball and sublime range of passing.

All topped off with a beautifully taken opening goal - his first for 18 months - on the occasion of his first start since the Community Shield. More to come, surely.

Just a shame United's dodgy defence didn't have the same presence of mind as the 35-year-old veteran as a number of shambolic, attempted clearances led to the Northampton penalty coolly converted by Alex Revell.

Daley Blind, not for the first time this season, was the man at fault and his place could be in jeopardy as Mourinho really needs to take a long, hard look at his back four.

At least United ran out relatively comfortable winners in the end with goals from Ander Herrera and super sub Marcus Rashford who did what he always does coming off the bench; make an impact.

Like Carrick, he too deserves a starting berth against champions Leicester whilst skipper Wayne Rooney, after another unconvincing performance, might be sweating when Jose pins up the team sheet before the Saturday lunchtime clash.

Majestic midfield playmaker Carrick, man of the match by a long chalk at Sixfields, insists he has nothing to prove to Mourinho despite his first team appearances being limited thus far.

Speaking on Sky Sports immediately after the 3-1 victory which sees United into Round Four of the EFL Cup, Carrick said: "The manager knows what I can do and what my strengths are. I'm not going to change now at the age of 35. Whether I will start again at the weekend, we will have to wait and see."

Apart from Carrick's immaculate display, this wasn't an emphatic United performance by any stretch of the imagination. And Jose did have to turn to his 'big guns' (Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rashford) sooner than he would have liked to clinch the win which may take some of the heat off. For now.

Source: DSG