Selling Carrick? Now That's Just Stupid

OK, so Michael Carrick did not play well at Burnley. He missed a penalty and did not exert any authority over the game, failed to show any leadership and was indeed culpable for the pathetic defeat. That is true.

He was omitted from the squad for the visit to Wigan - and he watched from the stands as we beat Birmingham on the opening day, too.

That, obviously, means that Fergie is going to sell him, that he's disappointed with his contribution and skills, that he believes Carrick is not fit to play for United. Therefore, he'll offer him plus cash in exchange for Luka Modric.

Well this is the most ridiculous rumour I have read this summer. United won the league three times in a row in the last three years and we got to two Champions League finals, winning one. Carrick was, throughout, a key player. He contributed massively to all these successes: it is quite ridiculous to suggest he was a passenger. In central midfield you cannot play every game and be a passenger. Or you can but the results will show that. United's results, on the other hand, were excellent, with Carrick in the side, in the most important area of the field.

He's not a Roy Keane, true. He was, probably, overpriced. He is NOT the man to turn to when things are not going well, he's not going to grab a game by the scruff of the neck to turn it around. He needs other, different players to complement his skills; he's no Wayne Rooney. But in a finely tuned system it is possible to play to his strengths (vision, anticipation and passing) which Fergie knows only too well. After all, he was the one who granted him the opportunities to show his worth. And whatever the doubters say, Carrick took these chances.

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