Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal reserved special praise for Michael Carrick after the midfielder delivered a virtuoso display against Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-0 win.
Carrick got on the scoresheet, but his crisp passing was the feature of Man United’s display in what was a blistering 35 minute spell, during which the Red Devils ended the game as a contest contest.
As Spurs attempted to press Man United high up the pitch and raise the intensity of the game, Carrick’s composure rendered Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics null and void.
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“Michael Carrick is not not my second captain for nothing. He is one of the best passers also, not only wide but also forward. We need midfielders who have that passing,” Van Gaal told reporters (via the Express).
“When you can also score the second goal you have a big influence in the game.”
Carrick was introduced during half-time in the defeat to Arsenal on Monday night, but his performance today shows that the former Spurs man has fully recovered from his recent injury setback.