Carrick a ´Roll Royce´, says Scholes

Manchester United’s Paul Scholes believes team-mate Michael Carrick is “one of the most underrated players” in the English Premier League.

Scholes, who has come out of retirement to play again for United, has answered Sir Alex Ferguson’s prayers as the manager deals with the absences of fellow midfielders Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher.

Phil Jones has been forced to take on an unfamiliar midfield role as United contend with the injuries, but Scholes feels that Carrick is not getting the praise he deserves, describing him as a “Rolls-Royce player”.

“Over the last six years at the club he’s been terrific, one of the most underrated players that the Premier League has had,” Scholes said.

“Since he’s come we’ve won the league in all but one season – that says it all. You need players such as Michael to be successful. He’s a total team player, which players around him really appreciate.”

“I’ve always found him very easy to play with. He’s capable of doing anything. He can create goals, score goals, he’s a great passer of the ball and is a big strong lad with a lot of presence who can run all day long.”

Scholes is well-placed to judge the effectiveness of central midfielders for United, having racked up over 460 appearances for the Red Devils himself. And he reckons Carrick has all the ingredients of a United player.

“To be a central midfielder at this club you have to take responsibility – take the ball all the time, defend at times and be prepared to drive the team on to score goals and win games,” he said.

“Michael does all those things. There’s no better player at just keeping the ball and keeping it simple.”

“Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, we all recognise how important he is to the team and at the end of the day that’s the important thing, that your team-mates know what you’re doing in the team.”

“As long as they do and the manager is happy, that’s all that matters.”

Having taken Roy Keane’s legendary shirt when he joined the club, a burden has been fixed to the 30-year-old midfielder, and Scholes feels this could be a factor behind the fans’ views on him.

“Michael is a different breed to the likes of Roy and Nicky Butt,” said Scholes.

“They were brilliant, but so is Michael in a different way. He brings calmness to the game and parades around the pitch like a Rolls-Royce.”