Seems like the penny is finally dropping now that Gerrard and Lampard aren't clogging up England's midfield. As many United fans have been pointing out for years, there's a reason why Carrick has been a mainstay of United's midfield since he signed in 2006. Other professional footballers rave about Carrick. https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog...ute-crime---justiceforcarrick--211059441.html
Carrick always seems to end up with loads of plaudits playing for England, then is immediately dropped the next game for the usual band of underachievers. It's like England managers are allergic to picking players on form and performance rather than name
Carrick is a very good midfielder BUT also typical of an England midfielder, i.e. he needs quality around him to bring the best out of him. Add to that, playing in a formation and style that suits. That sadly has rarely happened while he's been in an England side. But the last couple of games have suited him perfectly and he's been commanding. TBH Gerrard and Lampard have suffered the same when playing for England. Positions, formations, style which have often been alien to them. It's no surprise all England attacking or creative players play better for club than country.
Who has been this quality hes been surrounded by during his time here? Scholes and Hargreaves were of course great when playing. Anderson and Cleverley just weren't. Other times we would stick a defender, or Park next to him Edit - about England, not United. My mistake.
Definitely him and Scholes/Hargo. And not just the midfield, the wide players as well are important as is the AM ahead. For England he came in, in 2006 just when some of our best were leaving. Even now, it's not perfect but the reason he's faring better is because the style of England's play now is more suited to the way he plays. It's quick passing and attacking; the players in front are constantly moving into space or making runs. It was lethargic under Capello and McLaren by comparison.
