Carrick can become Man United's new midfield general, says Fergie

The outspoken opinions of his former captain Roy Keane might be off limits, but Sir Alex Ferguson is more comfortable discussing his hopes and expectations for the player who inherited the Irishman’s No 16 shirt at Manchester United.

Michael Carrick has not always enjoyed the smoothest of careers at Old Trafford since making a £18.6million move from Tottenham in the summer of 2006, and unfavourable comparisons with the likes of Keane and Paul Scholes have hardly helped.

Scholes retirement in the summer and United’s failure to sign Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan as a replacement raised fears that the Premier League champions would lack a creative spark, while the loss of Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher to injury and illness have further drained United’s resources in central midfield.

But Ferguson believes Carrick is coming into his own now after a run of impressive performances, and has challenged the 30-year-old to establish himself as United’s midfield general for the remainder of his career at the club.

‘He’s grabbed the nettle, there’s no question about that,’ said the United boss. ‘In some ways, he’s maybe seen the departure of Paul Scholes as his opportunity to be the main man in midfield.

‘I think it’s time Michael became the pivotal player of our team. We’ve always known he’s got that in him. He’s a laid-back character - quiet and unassuming - but in different periods during his time here he’s shown his quality.

‘Now is the time for him to start a long period of dominating the centre of midfield like he has in the last few weeks.

‘Michael’s been one of our best players. He’s been instrumental in what’s happening to the team at the moment. His performances have been quite outstanding.’ 

Carrick signed a new three-year deal in March although his critics suggest that it was brought on by necessity with Scholes and Owen Hargreaves due to leave Old Trafford in the summer, Darron Gibson set to follow before a move to Aston Villa broke down, and illness starting to take its toll on Fletcher. 

Another criticism has been Carrick’s lack of goals – just 18 in five-and-a-half seasons.

One of his most memorable efforts came against Monday's opponents Wigan – a late winner to put United on the brink of a third successive title in 2009 – but he did not score at all last season and his individual goal at QPR earlier this month was the first for 70 games.

‘I was quite surprised when I heard that statistic,’ added Ferguson. ‘But he’s quick, you know, and he showed that in the goal he scored against Queens Park Rangers.

‘You don’t see that often because we ask him to control centre midfield rather than venture too far.

‘I think he's been helped by the energy and determination of Phil Jones besides him. The boy’s been quite amazing. I think Michael and Phil help each other.’