Michael Carrick has been side-lined for up to six weeks with an Achilles tendon injury – threatening to derail Manchester United’s re-found form.
Reds fans’ hearts no doubt sank at the news that the 32-year-old would be sidelined for at least a month, but possibly six weeks.
Despite being roundly criticised in the Stretford End until a couple of years ago for his apparent lack of verve and reticence going into a tackle, seems to have negotiated the initial condemnation to garner praise on top of plaudits.
Carrick – who recently put himself back in contention for England internationals – has been integral to United’s midfield over the past few seasons and the current campaign has been no exception.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man’s composure under pressure will be missed at Old Trafford, as will the widely-commended passing ability and the vision that appears to have no horizon – the only other United players with a similar mastery of long-balls are Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.
Carrick – who has not been injured since 2009 – took to Twitter to vent his frustration.
He wrote: “A few weeks out for me, Hate missing games! Not used to this injury business, Heal quick n come back stronger!!”
Both the player and his manager will no doubt be infuriated – Carrick is entering the final stages of his career while David Moyes will be well aware of the blow inflicted by losing his best midfield distributor.
Although, it will be nothing compared to the chagrin of the fans, who will be realising that the omission of Carrick will surely bring about the inclusion of the woefully off-form Marouane Fellaini.
On another day – or perhaps year – this would look like Fellaini’s chance to get an unbroken run of games and acclimatise to the summer jump from Merseyside underdog to Manchester’s finest.
But Fellaini has been so far off the pace, so sluggishly lacking in every game he’s played in – barring his debut against Crystal Palace – is it really wise for Moyes to risk jeopardising the momentum that United have built, especially leading up to the crucial Christmas period?
There are alternatives: Tom Cleverley recovered from double-vision to come on as a substitute against Arsenal on Sunday, Phil Jones has proved that he is as adept in midfield as either centre-back or right-back, while Giggs is still one of the best in the league at the age of 40.
Giggs, with the unerring passing accuracy that neither Cleverley nor Jones possess, would be the best replacement, but his age is a factor – Moyes knows he cannot be seen to be relying on the evergreen Welshman.
The alternatives are there, but Moyes will have the £28million that he paid for Fellaini during the summer gnawing at the back of his skull.
To not give the Belgian a starting berth would expose not only a lack of faith but also a flaw in Moyes’ transfer policy, which has already been hit with too much media flak to survive another round.
It is an unenviable decision – give the marquee summer signing who served him so well at Everton the chance he doesn’t deserve and risk cutting off the head of United’s blossoming form, or play it safe and face up to the inevitable ire of the Old Trafford hierarchy.
It’s the kind of decision that Moyes must have relished the prospect of when he first came to Old Trafford… or at least it should be.
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
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