'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The sight of Michael Carrick on a football pitch is enough to lift any United fan, even if he is in jeans and a hoodie, closing down on a schoolkid. United’s vice-captain has been sorely missed by the Reds who’ve won just two of the last four games- against relegation fodder Burnley and Leicester City at home.
Carrick along with other United stars was visiting a school as part of the club’s work within the community. The midfielder should be ready to face Sunderland at Old Trafford this weekend which could be perfect timing as March will see a run of tough fixtures that will without doubt make or break the Red’s season.
Daley Blind and Wayne Rooney have been tried in front of the defence for the Reds with mixed results but United are far more comfortable with the man who ‘puts out fires before they begin’ operating in the holding role.
It may just be a kickabout in a school but any game of football involving Michael Carrick fills us all with a sense of hope….
