Michael Carrick’s bid to regain his place in the Manchester United engine room has suffered a setback. The midfielder has been ruled out for three to four weeks with an achilles problem that he’s been nursing for a while. With the rest of the squad now almost fully fit, the decision was taken to send Carrick to a specialist and he’ll now have an enforced rest following an injection.
“We have had a little setback with Carrick” confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson. He’s had a problem with his achilles, it’s been bothering him for a few weeks now and we sent him to a specialist in London. He’s had an injection and we’re hoping that settles him down. He’ll be out for maybe three weeks, at the very most a month. We’ve been considering for a while what we should do about it. I think the best thing to do, with everyone else fit in the squad, is to get him treated and get it out of the road.”
Another midfielder, Anderson, also played no part in Saturday’s trip to Everton after sustaining an injury during the reserves’ win over Stockport County. “Anderson came off with a little niggle but it was nothing serious, I don’t think” reported Sir Alex. “I think it’s just a matter of he’s been out for a long time and he’s coming back. I don’t think this will knock him back for any length of time. Other than that, everyone’s fit.”
Rio Ferdinand was in the squad, however, after some impressive training performances. “Rio could have played in the reserves, he wanted to play but his training performances have been so good, he’s in the squad now. We’ve got two tough games this week and he’s back in the fold.” United’s international players are all back at Carrington after one or two matches with their national teams. Sir Alex believes the midweek games being played a night earlier than normal, on Tuesday, will benefit all club sides.
“That’s the best decision FIFA have made in my time here. I don’t know why it’s never been done before but it gives club managers a great boost. It’s not a problem for the international managers because they still get nine or ten days with their players.”
Carrick has not had the best of luck in the last few months but once this latest injury clears up he will hopefully regain the form which won him three Premierships in his first three years at Old Trafford.
Do you expect Michael Carrick to play an important part for United this season?
