The best Manchester United players of all time are often hotly debated among fans, with plenty of club greats to choose from.
Several players are undeniable in any dream line-up using the long list of club legends.
Edwin van der Sar named Paul Scholes as the club’s greatest, and many fans would agree with this as the Class of ’92 graduate is an icon.
Another undeniable is Wayne Rooney, who ranks as Manchester United’s record goalscorer. Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs, Denis Law, David Beckham, George Best and Cristiano Ronaldo also all sit at the table of the very best to grace Old Trafford.
Rio Ferdinand is another few would dispute as a club great, and now the former United number five has argued the case for another player who he thinks deserves to be lauded as among the aforementioned names.
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand says Michael Carrick deserves more credit
One of football’s most underrated players over the past two decades is former United midfield maestro, Michael Carrick.
The club’s number 16 and former United captain, Carrick was criminally underused by England, which meant he never quite got the acclaim that his quality deserved.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former defender has praised Carrick, explaining that he should be higher rated.
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“You don’t play that many big games without having that attribute of a good IQ character. Carrick, when you mention great players at Man United, he doesn’t really get a mention, he’s very much an afterthought.
“In terms of his importance, that player, that position there, they’re the connective tissue. He said he has a relationship with the right back. He has a relationship with the left back, the centre-back, the goalkeeper, and even, then the attacking midfielders and the forwards.
“He’s got a relationship with all of those guys and the wingers, because he’s feeding everyone, or he’s feeding the attacking players, and he’s receiving off of the defenders, and he’s shielding.”
Carrick was elite, performing to a very high level deep into his career as a central midfielder, with his traits incredibly hard to replace.
Manchester United need a Michael Carrick in midfield right now
While incomparable to the career Scholes had, Carrick is absolutely in contention for a spot in some people’s best line-ups using club legends.
Carrick could do it all and was in many ways a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder, in the same mould as Sergio Busquets.
Michael Carrick for Manchester United
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The qualities Carrick would bring to the current United under Ruben Amorim’s management would be transformational.
He would be the player to hold the ball, dictate build-up and evade opposition presses deep in his own half. It is a player United would benefit from potentially alongside Manuel Ugarte going forward.
Tyler Fletcher is showing signs of growing into a player with these qualities, but an addition may be required.