Tag: Michael Carrick

Who should replace Casemiro at Manchester United?

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Data Analysis, Defensive Midfield, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

There are exits that feel like endings, and endings that feel like reckonings. Casemiro’s Instagram announcement this week — confirming he’ll leave Manchester United at the end of the season — is both. It's the departure of their most experienced leader, and at the same time, a clear willingness from United to move on past the era of plugging any gap with star power. While this might be a smart financial decision, it's also a decision they have to get absolutely spot on. Casemiro is just about irreplaceable. Nevertheless, I attempt to find his replacement. Here are the candidates to replace Casemiro, and why this won't be easy for the Red Devils.

Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City – Match Analysis – Carrick’s first in charge

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Premier League

Manchester United cannot compete with the likes of City, Chelsea or Arsenal by playing a possession-based game. Not at present moment. But they can compete with any team in the league by playing on the counter, and racing forward at high speeds. If United were going to win against City today, it was always going to come this way. And against so much of the criticism about United, Carrick didn't try to do anything extraordinary. He just set up a team that would be difficult to break down, full of leadership, and full of attacking intensity on the break. And as a result of that approach, it could have been 4 or 5-0. It could have been that bad for the Citizens. United were that vivacious on the attack. Here is my analysis of United's 2-0 win over City in the Manchester derby.

Fox in the Box – November 2021

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Podcast, Premier League, Subscriber Exclusives

Magazine of November 2021! In this month's edition of Fox in the Box, we explore Antonio Conte's Spurs, Ralf Rangnick's potential for greatness with Manchester United, and a discussion about the Goalkeeper of the Year. Subscribe to our monthly subscription for $1.00 per month or login to your account, to view the magazine.

Bakayoko’s Good, But He’s No Nemanja Matic

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, World Football

There's a strange trend in the Premier League of recent years. For whatever reason, the champions of the previous season always seem to struggle the next. Chelsea have continued this odd trend so far in 2017-18, and although they haven't been quite as bad as Leicester last season or the Blues themselves two years ago, … Continue reading Bakayoko’s Good, But He’s No Nemanja Matic

Ander Herrera Is What Makes Manchester United Tick

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League

Upon the arrival of Jose Mourinho to Old Trafford and the subsequent signings of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan many had expectations that this would be Manchester United's year to win the Premier League title. It hasn't quite panned out that way and although the club are unbeaten in their last 14 league … Continue reading Ander Herrera Is What Makes Manchester United Tick