Carrick's injury could pave the way for Phil Jones to cement midfield spot

News just broke out that Manchester United will have to do without Michael Carrick for 4-6 weeks while he recovers from a persistent Achilles injury. Manchester United fans will no doubt be devastated by the news that their most consistent central midfielder is out for a considerable period of time, but recent evidence suggests Carrick’s injury might be a blessing in disguise for United.

Phil Jones‘s performance in the crucial six-pointer against Arsenal saw him take the plaudits, and rightly so. In that match, Jones was everything that Manchester United are currently looking for in a central midfielder – power, pace and the ability to drive the team forward.

Far too often this season we have seen United’s central midfielders simply pass the ball around and looking for a way forward, failing which either Rooney or Kagawa are forced to drop back, take the ball from the dilly-dallying midfielders and move it up the pitch. But with Jones in the team alongside Carrick, United were able to dominate proceedings, till Vidic’s injury saw Jones move back into defense.

The second half saw Manchester United sit back and invite pressure, with Jones’s midfield energy being missed and Arsenal being afforded far too much room.

It’s a pattern that has seen Manchester United concede possession far too cheaply this season and for long periods of time, and the absence of a genuine ball-winning midfielder only exacerbates the situation. Opposition teams are able to dominate against United, which is something that hasn’t been seen for a long time.

Choices for Moyes

It’s perhaps unfair to compare Jones to Cleverley and Anderson, since they are completely different players with unique attributes. Cleverley, the water carrier, like to simply connect with the attackers through short passes and quick exchanges. Anderson on the other hand likes to control the centre, switch play and drive forward with the ball to make things happen.

Both these players have good enough technical quality and game intelligence to start for United, but neither has provided enough evidence to suggest that they can make the spot their own.

Cleverley, although decent with what he does, does not provide enough of a shield to the back four, so it’s obvious he needs to be paired with a more defensive-minded midfielder so that the centre is not overrun.

Anderson has had injury setbacks and weight issues (again!) this season, and his stats suggest he is below Cleverley in the pecking order.

Add to that new signing Fellaini’s problems of gelling with the squad and being 100% match fit, and David Moyes is left with only one dependable midfielder – Carrick. And now he too is out.

So while the obvious reaction would be to moan Carrick’s loss and blame the injury-gods for picking on Manchester United, the rational thinker will see an opportunity for Moyes to tinker with the midfield and perhaps provide Jones the time and space needed to settle in.

Midfield musings

Manchester United have an embarrassment of riches upfront, and the defense is also slowly taking shape. Between Vidic, Evans and Ferdinand, United have three good centrebacks to choose from. Smalling and Rafael have secured the right flanks, whereas Evra’s performances this season have made him the only contender for the leftback spot.

Upfront, at least two of van Persie, Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck and Hernandez have started, and with Januzaj, Valencia and Nani filling up the roster, Moyes has an excellent array of choices for his front four.

It’s the midfield that is the sticky situation, and so far Manchester United have hardly threatened to overrun the opposition through the centre or keep possession and slowly grind a team to death. They simply can’t, because they don’t have the players for it. No manager in his right mind would play with a philosophy for which he lacks the players.

But what Moyes could do is simply look to secure the midfield with Fellaini and Jones and give more license to the front four to do the damage. Nobody expects the United midfield to contribute with goals and assists, so why not simply shore it up with ball-winning, physically imposing midfielder?

Jones’s versatility: How to get the best out of him?

It’s all well and good playing superbly against Arsenal, but this season United have struggled against vastly inferior opposition and there is a serious need for a definitive playing style. For that to happen, the likes of Fellaini and Cleverley will need more game-time. At the same time, given the duo’s lack of game time till now, it would be prudent to use Jones as a safety net; a perfect foil for someone like Felliani to get back into shape, as has not looked anything like the player Everton possessed last season.

Instead of using Jones in his natural centreback role (which he is already good at), Moyes could use Jones in a midfield role for the near future, at least till Carrick returns. It’s unfair to ask a youngster to play different positions in every game, and a sustained spell in the middle of the park could see Jones become acclimatized to a role that he plays rarely.

And it is common sense to have a stable midfield to promote harmony through the team’s play, so as to get the most out of the front four. A midfield of two out of Fellaini, Cleverley and Jones, whilst functional, could allow the front four to get on with their jobs – creating and scoring goals.

Conclusion

Over the past seasons, Manchester United have dropped down the order in terms of having a creating central midfield. Last season and this season as well, United have struggled against sides that press heavily and don’t allow the midfielders time on the ball. Good players will always find a way to get around pressing, but when you don’t have those players, you should think of a plan B.

In passing, Moyes should look to have a physically imposing and direct midfield, much like their noisy neighbours, who in Yaya Toure and Fernandinho possess a midfield that allows the front four the creative freedom to create and score goals. This could be the key in unlocking the attacking talent that Manchester United possess, which is currently being stifled because of a midfield that does not win the ball back and keep it for long.

And the time is right for a change, now that United’s most creative central midfielder is out till Christmas, and perhaps longer.