As England laboured to a 0-0 draw against Ukraine last night, former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann took to Twitter bemoaning the absence of United maestro Michael Carrick
Hamann, a German international for a decade, lamented England’s inability to pass and queried Roy Hodgson’s shunning of the United midfielder in favour of the less experienced Jack Wilshire.
The Three Lions were woeful in possession and Hamann was in disbelief at the omission of Carrick – arguably England’s most composed and cerebral distributor.
“England’s ball retention is very poor. Aint going anywhere if they can’t find a player in a same coloured kit,” he tweeted.
“[Jack] Wilshere is world class [despite having] done nothing in the game yet Carrick is a vital part of United, won 5 leagues and CL, and is not even considered. Players picked on reputation not merit.
“Carrick is one of the few top class players England got. [He] half carried United in last 2 seasons. Yet can’t get a game. Beyond belief.”
Hamann found support from former England striker Gary Lineker, increasingly critical of England of late, who also took to Twitter to call for Carrick’s inclusion.
“When you see England pass it like they’ve never been introduced to each other, it does make you wonder why Carrick doesn’t feature,” Lineker tweeted.
These sentiments were echoed by Hamann after the game had finished as he suggested Carrick could be the missing piece to England’s puzzle.
Hamann said: “[Wilshire] would be far more effective with Carrick next to him. [Roy Hodgson’s] got to build a team. At the moment it’s a jigsaw with loads missing.”
Image courtesy of Saadick Dhansay, with thanks.
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