as manchester united turned in their most dominant display of the season against tottenham on sunday, the influence of one man cannot be underestimated michael carrick's return to louis van gaal's starting xi proved crucial at old trafford, and could be the turning point for united as they look to finish in the top four this season he took less than nine minutes to stamp his authority on the game and show the old trafford faithful what they have so missed during his two months out michael carrick (second left) heads manchester united 2 0 up against tottenham on sunday  carrick is congratulated on his goal by his united team mates during the 3 0 win at old  united with carrick  p15 w10 d3 l2  win percentage: 6670%  points per game: 22  united without carrick  p14 w6 d5 l3  win percentage: 4290%  points per game: 16  with daley blind on the ball at left back and no tottenham players covering a huge gap just in from the left touchline, carrick burst forward to receive the ball before instantly playing a perfectly weighted pass for marouane fellaini to open the scoring for united ten minutes later carrick had headed his side 2 0 up and sent them on the way to a vital win but it was the composure and attacking intent that carrick provided on sunday that united have missed so much in recent weeks   something which was not lost on his manager 'michael carrick is not my second captain for nothing he is one of the best passers also, not only wide but also forward we need midfielders who have that passing,' said van gaal after the game indeed, with carrick in the side united have picked up 22 points per game compared to just 16 without him the club have won 667% of the game the midfielder has played but than number drops to 429% without the england midfielder daley blind played at left back against tottenham but has spent most of the season in central midfield  ander herrera (left) has impressed in midfield for united since signing from athletic bilbao in the summer  marouane fellaini (left) has been played in an advanced midfield role for united this season  liverpool (away)   march 22  aston villa (home)   april 4  man city (home)   april 12  chelsea (away)   april 18  everton (away)   april 26  west brom (home)   may 2  crystal palace (away)   may 9  arsenal (home)   may 16  hull (away)   may 24  in truth, nobody should be surprised carrick has been a mainstay of united's midfield for years now, anchoring the side from a deep position whether his midfield partners have been of the necessary quality over the years is debatable, but with the likes of ander herrera and blind   as well as the revitalised fellaini   now available, carrick should not have to carry the burden all by himself at 33, however, carrick remains united's main man as well as herrera and blind have done in their first seasons in english football, neither have the authority or influence of carrick with trips to liverpool, chelsea and everton to come too, carrick's big game experience will also be key with nine games to go, united will be hoping carrick stays fit, because with him in the side, they have a much better chance of finishing in the top four
rhoeo sunday ephori hosannaing tottenham crossrow clarion michael carrick
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