The three ages of Michael Carrick … and what they say about Manchester United

The three ages of Michael Carrick … and what they say about Manchester United

From his competitive debut to his first spell as interim, the former midfielder has seen much at Old Trafford over the past two decades 23 August 2006, Charlton 0 -3 Manchester United The 25‑year‑old new signing was eased into United’s midfield as a second-half substitute in the second game of the season, having picked up a small injury on the pre‑season tour. With Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson started with John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher in central midfield, with the Scot (sporting a mullet) opening the scoring after Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo had hit the woodwork. Carrick was one of four future United managers in the side, alongside Fletcher, Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who rounded off the win with a late goal after Louis Saha had doubled United’s lead. Solskjær’s goal was his first in the league in three injury-hit years, and the Norwegian, also a substitute, should have had another when Carrick squared a perfect pass to the striker, only for Charlton’s Scott Carson to make an outstanding save. With Carrick an instant success at United that season, the club roared to the title in May 2007, their first in four years. Continue reading...

‘VAR delay made us stronger’: Guardiola hails City after disallowed Semenyo goal

‘VAR delay made us stronger’: Guardiola hails City after disallowed Semenyo goal

‘I think my players were angry. The spirit was there’ Newcastle beaten 2-0 in Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg Pep Guardiola’s evident delight at Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final was tempered by the lengthy video assistant referee delay that disallowed what would have been Antoine Semenyo’s second goal of the game. It prompted Manchester City’s manager to launch into an epic, and often incomprehensible, rant about VAR and its perceived failings or, more pertinently, non-involvements during City’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle in November and last season’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace. Continue reading...