Premier League: The biggest stats of the weekend

by Christy Malyan @ChristyMalyan share

6 minute read 19/12/2016 | 03:01pm

Classy Carrick

60% – @ManUtd‘s Premier League win percentage with Michael Carrick starting the last three seasons; without him it’s 38%. Ticking.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 19, 2016

It’s astonishing to think Michael Carrick couldn’t get a game at the start of the season. Since his reintroduction into the starting XI, Manchester United have enjoyed a dramatic uplift in results and that’s no coincidence. Indeed, the Red Devils have won an impressive 60% of Premier League games in which Carrick has started over the last three seasons, compared to just 38% without him. The veteran midfielder may be 35 years of age, but he’s as important as ever.