Man Utd’s title risk: Carrick to lose it, Nani to win it

The spark was sorely missing for Manchester United in their loss to Wigan. The contrast that Manchester City provided in their sparkling performance yesterday to destroy Norwich 6-1 only served to heighten the lackluster United performance. A dismal show by Wayne Rooney, a plodding Ryan Giggs and a huffing Ashley Young all could not take away from the real problem Manchester United have – Michael Carrick. Or, at least Michael Carrick in Paul Scholes’ absence. Despite the bravado Sir Alex Ferguson has put on for the press, it really is ‘squeaky b*#’ time at Old Trafford and Sir Alex has turned time and time again to Carrick and the midfielder has failed to deliver. Yes Carrick has a high pass-completion percentage – but mostly sideways or backwards. Yes Carrick has struck the bar with some killer shots in recent games – but simply has not scored enough. Yes Carrick is likely to give the ball away in a very dangerous area leading to counter-attack. Yes Carrick does not have the creative nous to open a defence. That’s what United are left with as they close in on a record-breaking 20th Premier League title. Sir Alex will bring back Nani today against Aston Villa to up the stakes as he knows he needs a player not afraid to take on defenders and go for broke. It’s what Carrick brings to the game, or does not, however, that will worry Sir Alex more. One more loss and the title will almost surely slip away. Scholes and Nani to the rescue then.