Michael Carrick could become an emergency centre-back for Manchester United…
Michael Carrick is ready to offer his services to manager Louis van Gaal as an emergency centre-back, after Manchester United’s defensive horror show at Leicester City on Sunday.
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Jonny Evans went off injured, and Tyler Blackett was sent-off during the 5-3 defeat, and van Gaal is considering playing the 33-year-old in the heart of defence, despite the fact that he is yet to make an appearance for the Old Trafford club so far this season.
Reports in the Daily Mail claim that Carrick has resumed training again at Carrington, and has already had a conversation with Van Gaal about possibly playing in the centre of defence.
The Dutch coach is trying to steady the ship at the start of what is proving to be a traumatic Premier League season – with only one win in five thus far.
United are also without another defender, Phil Jones, through injury, and are running out of options. Meanwhile, Evans, who has a history of ankle trouble and needed surgery two years ago, is still on crutches after limping off in the first half at the King Power Stadium.
Carrick has played in the centre of the defence before during the Sir Alex Ferguson era and has the experience and intelligence to operate in that role. But as the source explains, the fact that the former England midfielder is being considered so early in the campaign would, however, appear to provide further evidence that United erred in the summer by not buying a top-class central defender.
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