Kyle
16-06-2006, 09:07 AM
June 16, 2006
Former Manchester United star Sammy McIlroy has backed manager Sir Alex Ferguson's pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick.
"Michael Carrick is a Manchester United type of player and is the right age. He is developing into a top-class player," McIlroy told the Manchester Evening News.
"I think he would bring an extra dimension to United's midfield. He is big and strong, he has a quality pass in him and can pick the ball up off the defence and spray a pass around, or play it short and simple.
"He had loads of potential when he was at West Ham and in the last two years at Spurs he has started to realise that. He has improved tremendously.
"He is also becoming a box-to-box player and that is very important in his development.
"The two Premiership midfielders who are leading the way are Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard. They've both added goals to their game as they've matured and gained experience.
"Lampard hit 20 last season for Chelsea and Gerrard got a terrific 23 for Liverpool all told. Carrick, meanwhile, only scored a couple for Spurs.
"That's why he is still behind those two. He is knocking on the door without a doubt and he could join them if he scored more. That has to be his aim.
"You need to see around 10-12 a campaign from him at least.
"I think he could add that part of his game with a move to United.
"You are never going to get Gerrard from Liverpool or Lampard from Chelsea, so in terns of homegrown midfielders of that ilk then Carrick is the next best thing - and he could become their equal.
"He would be a great asset at Old Trafford."
Former Manchester United star Sammy McIlroy has backed manager Sir Alex Ferguson's pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick.
"Michael Carrick is a Manchester United type of player and is the right age. He is developing into a top-class player," McIlroy told the Manchester Evening News.
"I think he would bring an extra dimension to United's midfield. He is big and strong, he has a quality pass in him and can pick the ball up off the defence and spray a pass around, or play it short and simple.
"He had loads of potential when he was at West Ham and in the last two years at Spurs he has started to realise that. He has improved tremendously.
"He is also becoming a box-to-box player and that is very important in his development.
"The two Premiership midfielders who are leading the way are Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard. They've both added goals to their game as they've matured and gained experience.
"Lampard hit 20 last season for Chelsea and Gerrard got a terrific 23 for Liverpool all told. Carrick, meanwhile, only scored a couple for Spurs.
"That's why he is still behind those two. He is knocking on the door without a doubt and he could join them if he scored more. That has to be his aim.
"You need to see around 10-12 a campaign from him at least.
"I think he could add that part of his game with a move to United.
"You are never going to get Gerrard from Liverpool or Lampard from Chelsea, so in terns of homegrown midfielders of that ilk then Carrick is the next best thing - and he could become their equal.
"He would be a great asset at Old Trafford."