United’s somewhat laboured performance in Lisbon last night was met with the usual chorus of disapproval from many Reds on the interweb.

When your goalkeeper is a strong contender for man of the match then you know something’s not gone too well.

One player who seemed -as usual- to bore the brunt of most of the criticism was Michael Carrick .

The vast majority of Reds seemed to blame Carrick for United’s failure to really trouble Benfica and many were actually using it as proof he’s no longer needed at Old Trafford.

Some of the comments regarding Carrick went from annoyed: ‘typically below par’ to downright enraged: ‘when will Fergie see he’s useless!!’

My own feeling is that Carrick was average in a very average midfield, he didn’t do much wrong as far as I was concerned, although he didn’t make enough of a positive contribution, to call it a ‘good performance.’

Fletcher and Park were equally as uninspired but it seems most fans -rightly- understood the fsct they’d both returned after a long spell out of the team so were naturally rusty.

Carrick has always divided opinion among many United fans but last night was one of the times when even some of his supporters seemed to turn on him.

The form of Anderson, Tom Cleverley and the possibility of Phil Jones playing in midfield menas that many Reds now see Carrick as being surplus to requirements.

I’m not convinced that getting rid of him is such a good idea, after all was this not the same player who was lauded over following his CL performances against Chelsea last year?

It’s a squad game and United will need Carrick during the season, he may not be the most exciting player to watch but he does do a job and I for one think Sir Alex should and will use him when needed.

Have I gone in off the deep end or is it time to give up on the former Spurs man? Feel free to comment abuse or suggest below:

Article courtesy of Justin Mottershead from Red Flag Flying High

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