After such a successful time with Manchester United, it was always going to be quite an ordeal for Manchester United to let go of Michael Carrick. The former Hammer might hang around at Old Trafford for another year or two, or he may depart this summer, whatever happens there is a desperate need to find a long-term replacement.
Whomever is manager of Manchester United next season will have quite the challenge to get the midfield balanced and, as Morgan Schneiderlin struggles to find many minutes, it could mean another couple of additions centrally. Carrick is a serial winner, a controlling force in midfield and an accomplished passer, however the club may require a change. Depending on who takes the reigns at Old Trafford next season, they may need a different type of midfielder, an enforcer, if you will.
There are many midfielders who could consider themselves replacements, but it is United’s job to identify the players that are most perfectly suited.
Here we have it, FIVE that should be replacing Carrick…
William Carvalho
Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese midfield sensation has been touted as a target for many clubs around Europe. Carvalho has been a stalwart for Sporting in this season after really making his name during 2014/15.
Heading to the EUROs with Portugal this summer, Carvalho could well go into the stratosphere with an impressive tournament. Additionally, Carvalho can slot in at centre-back when required and this would add great versatility to United’s side.
N’Golo Kante
Unlike Carrick, Kante is not a player who possesses great passing, nor is he a natural sitting player. Kante’s exceptional stats for interceptions and tackles say more about his game than anything; he is a terrier.
Kante would, if United signed him, be expect to slot alongside Schneiderlin in a midfield two, one would imagine, and provide the engine to United’s midfield. His pace and driving runs from deep make him a threat to the opposition and would add something to the United side that they haven’t had in years, dynamism.
Javi Martinez
Like Carvalho, Martinez can also fill in at centre-half. In fact, under Pep Guardiola at Bayern, Martinez has largely been used in that role.
Previously at Athletic Bilbao, Martinez had been a deep-lying midfield player, who compensated for his lack of pace with excellent reading of the game – much like Carrick. Injuries have often troubled his time at Bayern, unfortunately.
The Spaniard’s pass accuracy often registers around 90% and is, as you’d expect, very comfortable on the ball.
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Leon Goretzka
Goretzka, at only 21, is over a decade younger than Michael Carrick. The Schalke youngster would be unlikely to walk straight into the Manchester United XI, but is believed to be one of the most promising midfielders in world football.
The Schalke academy has a track record of producing stunning young players and Goretzka is possibly the most complete of them all right now. The German operated from a deeper role for much of this campaign – averaging three interceptions per Bundesliga match – but he is just as comfortable in a more advanced role.
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Blaise Matuidi
The box-office option, Matuidi would take a bank-breaking transfer fee to be lured out of PSG’s grasp.
The French midfielder would need to be partnered with a defensive midfielder, like Schneiderlin, but he, in a similar way to Kante, offers the engine in the middle of the park that United currently lack. Matuidi is one of the best in Europe at the moment and has a great tactical understanding that is often overlooked.
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