07 May 2015 14:47:20
Would a move for Nigel De Jong make sense as another midfield option.
I say this because getting a Carrick replacement will be tough, and also, Carrick hasn't really cut it in Europe.
Gundogan would be a very good buy, he could play alongside Herrera in a 2, or anywhere in a 3. But having De Jong would also give us a stronger option.
His stats are impressive, 88% pass completion, 3.6 interceptions per game, 2.2 tackles, 2.1 clearances.
De Jong would be extremely effective in big games where we need a strong presence in midfield, a ball winner. He is also good for keeping the ball as the stats show and also he is available for FREE. No £30 million investment needed, low risk, EPL experience.
As a none starting option I don't see any better. De Jong, Gundogan or Carrick for the deep role. Gundogan, Herrera or Fellaini for the more advanced role - as well as Mata or Januzaj.
07 May 2015 15:39:40
Carrick hasn't cut it in Europe hahahahahaha absolutely clueless
07 May 2015 15:44:51
Fresh De Jong does sound like a good option and will do a job for us.
My personal realistic choice would be Schneiderlin though.
07 May 2015 15:51:05
schneiderlin all day long
07 May 2015 16:12:49
Fresh, are we building utd or the new Dutch national team? :P
07 May 2015 17:34:48
Unfortunate coincidence he is Dutch haha.
And Carrick isn't amazing in Europe. Would he dominate against top teams? You're the clueless one if you think Carrick can compete with the likes of Xavi, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Lahm etc.
{Ed025's Note - As an outsider fresh i have to say some of you dont seem to appreciate what carrick brings to the table, i think hes very good, and far better than blind or herrera..
07 May 2015 18:20:56
Carrick is fantastic, but not one of Europe's best. One of the EPLs best though.
07 May 2015 18:28:25
Fresh you are way off on Carrick mate and De Jong is nothing compared to Carrick and you must be on the sauce posting something like this.
07 May 2015 20:00:49
What is .2 of a tackle like? Where you almost get the ball but just miss it?
07 May 2015 20:01:38
I think Dejong could do s great job for us. share the load with Carrick. Would add some steel to the midfield and as he is free the money could be spent onother players.
07 May 2015 20:09:36
Carrick is the closest thing you will get to busquets. Who is considered to be the best holding midfielder in world football. With carrick as the main stay of our midfield from 2007 to 2013 we reached 3 finals and 2 semi finals in champs league. He isn't a dominant midfield type but the work he does and way in which he keeps the ball moving is priceless to united and has been for nearly 10 years. i'm afraid fresh you are clueless
{Ed025's Note - its not just fresh though vinny, i think we have probably seen the best of him now mate but for an outsider like me he has done a sterling job for many a year, but i feel he has never had the recognition his skill and loyalty has deserved..
07 May 2015 21:19:31
Clueless is the word of the week on here. I have never said Carrick is anything but excellent, but he would get found out in Europe with a lot of movement around. I don't really care what your opinion of me is, but at least I can disagree with you in a dignified manner.
08 May 2015 02:18:02
De Jong is more like a Makelele than Carrick in what he brings. A move for De Jong wouldn't excite the fans, but he is good at what he does. I could see him coming on in the 80th min when LVG wants to protect a lead.
08 May 2015 08:16:44
Zinadel
There are quite a few players in the league that can do what de Jong does. Nothing special but a physical presence. I can understand on a free and a squad player it might make some sense depending on the wages.
He is definitely not comparable to what carsick does as carsick pulls the strings siting where does and most things sort with him.
08 May 2015 11:34:30
@Fresh
Carrick has been found out against lot of movement around him? The only time I've seen that happen is when Barcelona faced us in those finals and that team with Xavi iniesta and messi ran rings round everyone. Carrick has held his own against the very best in Europe.
You also need to consider that he has had practically no partner in midfield for the last 5 years. He is a one man army there. Midfield is a team game and we've played the likes of Jones, Cleverley, Anderson beside him.
Our transformation into a regular European semi final team after Carrick's arrival is no coincidence.
08 May 2015 15:51:44
Zidaniel
agree that de jong would bring a physical presence and IMO we could do with that in the midfield, especially as we look like we are physically bullied by a number of teams this season. Personally would like raingolan as a better option ; tough tackling good distribution and can win back the ball. For years we have always had steel in midfield as well as flair everywhere else.