Manchester United have been enjoying a strong run of form recently. Unbeaten for more than three months, the club’s last Premier League defeat came at the hands of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea back in October.
Only Hull City have had the better of them since that day, though the Tigers’ EFL Cup win in the second leg of the semi-final did not count for much. A major reason for that renaissance has been the re-emergence of Michael Carrick, and his invaluable ability to control most games.
Replacing Michael Carrick: The Players Who Could Fill The Role
Carrick has been often underrated during his ten-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and, at 35 years of age, it doesn’t look like Carrick will be a consistent figure in the side beyond next season.
Several replacements have been touted, and several have arrived in recent years including Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba. But none of them have been able to pull off the dominance in midfield as extraordinarily as Carrick does.
Although Carrick’s contract is set to be extended until at least next season, we review three players that Manchester United supporters can look to when the Englishman does eventually leave the Theatre of Dreams.
Jorginho
A Brazilian-born Italian international, Jorginho has been a key member of Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli resurgence that has propelled them to the Champions League this season. A player that’s meant to dominate the midfield, Jorginho completed more passes than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season. A sensational talent when it comes to defending, he is usually the guardian that protects the Patronepei back-line.
Jorginho: Is the only player in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season averaging over 100 passes per game (100.2) pic.twitter.com/ONp2hthBWE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 11, 2016
A proper midfielder who is fantastic with both feet, Jorginho is as good in a box-to-box role as he is in a defensive role, and is highly composed on and off the ball. Often compared to Andrea Pirlo for his brilliant ability to pick out a pass from deep in midfield, Jorginho is tipped for great things for both club, wherever that may be in the future, and country, where he has earned two caps.
Jorginho has been in Italy all his life, having represented Hellas Verona before he moved to Napoli, and his record in Italy’s top flight has been remarkable. His record for defensive actions including interceptions and blocks are amongst the best in a country that produces top-quality defenders, and looks like the ideal replacement that Manchester United have been craving for to take over from Michael Carrick.
Toni Kroos
Not much has to be said about Toni Kroos, as his record speaks for itself. He is a World Cup winner and a two-time Champions League winner, as well as multiple league titles and domestic cups for two of the biggest clubs in European football (Bayern Munich and currently, Real Madrid).
The 27-year-old has been a pillar in midfield for all of his clubs and would be the perfect Manchester United and José Mourinho player.
Arguably the best passer of a ball currently playing in Europe, Kroos, when compared to 35-year-old Carrick, brings out the same credibility as the Englishman. Over the last two seasons, Kroos has played eight more games than Carrick (46 to 38) and had an incredible pass completion rate of 94% last season, as compared to Carrick’s 86%.
Kroos also adds one more attribute to the team than Carrick does, as he is the man behind Real Madrid’s free-kicks and corner-kicks.
He is even touted by one former Manchester United hero. Gary Neville regards him alongside Luka Modric, Sergio Busquets and the retiring Xabi Alonso as one of the men to replace the current United number 16. At only 27 and with an improving Manchester United side, the time would be right for the East German-born Kroos to drop the white of Madrid for the red of Manchester.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Manchester United’s world-famous academy has produced fine talent over the years, and currently supplies the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard to the first team. But one man who sits in the Carrick role is Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who has performed well for the reserves and the youth sides over the last three years.
Fosu-Mensah has a fine aptitude with the senior squad and is a fan favourite, having made his first team debut against Arsenal last season under the tutelage of former boss Louis van Gaal. The 19-year-old Dutchman has had a less significant role this season under José Mourinho, only featuring sporadically in the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League matches.
But he is still tipped for a bright future, considering his versatility and command in the various positions he can feature in.
Even able to fill in at full-back or at centre-half, he has displayed various talents to the Old Trafford faithful and is often referred to as “Fosu-Immensah” for his ability to cover large ground so efficiently.
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