Manchester United’s Michael Carrick is better now that Roy Keane and Paul Scholes have gone, says Ray Wilkins
The United midfielder has been in great form since his return to the starting line up in September allowing Ander Herrera and World record signing Paul Pogba to shine
RAY WILKINS has claimed Manchester United's Michael Carrick has been allowed to shine since the departures of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
Carrick, 35 did not feature for Jose Mourinho in the first six games of the campaign and was only recalled to the side for the League Cup win at Northampton in mid September.
Since his recall to the United line up the experienced midfielder's influence is clear to see, the Reds are unbeaten this season when Carrick starts winning 11 drawing two and scoring 35 goals.
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Former United midfield man Ray Wilkins is full of praise for Carrick who has allowed Ander Herrera and world record signing Paul Pogba to shine in midfield.
Wilkins said on talkSPORT:"Michael Carrick is a wonderful footballer and is allowing Herrera and Pogba to play 30 yards forward.
When he first came in the United side you had the dominance of Scholes and Keane (before him) and Michael thought inferior to them, but in this midfield three he is the main man." Wilkins added.
Carrick who has recently taken over the captains armband in the absence of Wayne Rooney, played a starring role in United's Boxing Day 3-1 win against strugglers Sunderland at Old Trafford with goals from Daley Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Carrick joined United from Spurs in 2006 for £18 million to replace Roy Keane who departed months earlier after his infamous MUTV appearance.
The former Spurs man was given Keane's number 16 shirt and has gone on to win five Premier League titles, Champions League, FIFA World Club Cup, The FA Cup and League Cup in a glittering career at Old Trafford.