Van Gaal has been hugely impressed by the impact of Michael Carrick.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has lavished praise on midfielder and vice captain Michael Carrick, whose return to the Old Trafford first team has coincided with their surge in form, with the Dutchman impressed by the England international’s versatility and ability to slot into different positions according to the Daily Star.
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With a defensive injury crisis having bitten at the club in recent weeks, van Gaal has asked Carrick to slot into an unfamiliar central defensive position as part of a back three – a role that the former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur man has fulfilled as if it comes naturally to him.
Carrick is also van Gaal’s vice captain, with the Dutchman suggesting that the experience in the United ranks allows him to have “three captains” out on the pitch at times in the shape of official skipper Wayne Rooney, Carrick and fellow experienced midfielder Darren Fletcher.
Van Gaal did suggest that the team misses Carrick in midfield when he is shifted out of position into the back line, however, so it does not seem that his long term future lies in a new role despite the stellar performances that have been put in recently:
“He is my vice-captain so he brings a lot of experience but also a lot of composure.”
“I can use him in different position and that I like.”
“Because he is my captain, he can transfer my philosophy on the pitch. Next to Rooney he is my captain.”
“When I put him in a line up in defence, I miss him in midfield. Now we don’t have Daley Blind.”