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You might be surprised by who Fergie thinks is the Premier League's best midfielder

It’s not Tom Cleverley.

ALEX FERGUSON BELIEVES Michael Carrick is the best midfielder in the Premier League and is convinced Manchester United will keep getting better as their injured stars return.

Carrick saw his start to the season hampered by injuries, but he has returned to the first team and helped the Red Devils win six of their last seven games, with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa the only blot on their copybook.

The 33-year-old has also been named as vice-captain to Wayne Rooney, underlining his importance to Louis van Gaal, and Ferguson is convinced he is the most effective midfielder in England.

“I think Michael’s the best central midfielder in English football,” the legendary former United manager told BT Sport. “I think he’s the best English player in the game.”

Carrick has been joined on the treatment table by the likes of Marco Rojo, Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria this season, and Ferguson has warned the rest of the Premier League that United will be a force to be reckoned with when Van Gaal has a fully fit squad to choose from.

“I don’t know how Louis van Gaal can expect to get the best results with the injuries he’s had,” Ferguson continued.

“When he gets the best players back, you watch United go — because he’s a great coach, he will do well.

“I’m not interested with what is happening with the players he’s brought in, as that will take time.

“When I brought in Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic in the January of the same year, they were all over the place. They took five months to get used to playing for Manchester United – the culture and the history of the club. These new players will be exactly same.”

Ferguson believes United still have a raft of world-class players in their ranks, and singled out David de Gea for particular praise after his fine recent form.

“They have still got great players,” added the Scot.

“The World Cup has maybe taken a little bit out of Robin van Persie, but you watch him in the second half of the season. He will be fine.

“Rooney is back flying and he will always get you a goal. Having a goalscorer in your team is always an advantage.

“The one that is most pleasing to me is David de Gea. When we bought him as a kid he was really skinny but he had ability. He has special talents and he is showing that now and I’m really pleased for the kid.

“When we get those players back, we will be fine.”

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22 Comments
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    Mute Mark Cronin
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Fergie obviously hasn’t been watching Chelsea with his free time. Matic has been different class all season

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    Mute Robert O Farrell
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    Dec 24th 2014, 1:05 AM

    That’s not a surprise at all. Fergie loved Carrick – always stuck with him and always played him in the big games. He’s made a big difference since he’s come back and is vital to this current United team. A good player, a nice footballer. But was not and never will be a great player.

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    Mute Anthony Connery
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    Dec 24th 2014, 2:41 AM

    Maybe not world class but is a great player

    58
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    Mute Johnny Fitz
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    Dec 24th 2014, 1:05 AM

    Ah here, no wonder he never sorted out his mess of a misfield post Keane if he thinks Carrick is the best player in the league…

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    Mute Kris Hetherington
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    Dec 24th 2014, 1:30 AM

    5 x premier league, 1 European cup. Not sure about that one

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:14 AM

    No disrespect to the man I despise him (as good a manager as he was) but as a Pool fan if Rodgers can speel his shyte so can Ferguson.

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    Mute Sean Barber
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:51 AM

    Carrick isn’t even the best midfielder in Manchester. Great against Wigan, Hull and teams of that ilk but when playing against the very best he always hides and goes quiet.

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    Mute Chris O'Mahony
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    Dec 24th 2014, 1:56 AM

    Like the entire arsenal midfield

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    Mute Anthony Connery
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    Dec 24th 2014, 2:39 AM

    Sean that’s a ridiculous statement, carrick does a job for the team. There’s a reason why he’s team mates really value him. He’s exactly what we need at arsenal

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    Mute Gavin Healy
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    Dec 24th 2014, 8:44 AM

    I love the fact that people suggest Ferguson doesn’t know what he is taking about. Ironically the same people to bizarrely label Steven Gerrard ‘world class’

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Dec 24th 2014, 9:48 AM

    Go home Gavin your still drunk

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    Mute Kieran Canavan
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:20 AM

    Haha

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    Mute Thomas Bohan
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    Dec 24th 2014, 8:21 AM

    Read the article guys he’s the best english midfielder in the league is what it says

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    Mute foxyfonz
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    Dec 24th 2014, 9:22 AM

    Think you need to reread it yourself.

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    Mute foxyfonz
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    Dec 24th 2014, 9:22 AM

    So Michael Carrick is better than Yaya Toure, bahahahaha

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    Mute Fearghal Brennan
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:08 AM

    FFS

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    Mute Seanie Bourke
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    Dec 24th 2014, 1:52 AM

    He is as bad as Gay Byrne now … Some shite been spoke over in the UK at the moment Rodgers seems to be the king of it but Fergie I thought was gone past talking Shite … I was wrong.

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    Mute dabuyincojen
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    Dec 24th 2014, 3:20 AM

    What about Anderson?? Alex, too much lush.. Carrick isn’t the best the best in England, he’s the best in the the known universe, after nani and bebe!!

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    Mute Gavin Doyle
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    Dec 24th 2014, 6:20 AM

    Oh well imagine that he thinks carrick one of his buys is the best don’t be so modest old red nose

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    Mute Ben Giles
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    Dec 24th 2014, 12:34 PM

    England always relied on him….

    Oh wait….

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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Dec 24th 2014, 2:10 PM

    And look how well they’ve done
    Oh wait….

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    Mute Frank Donovan
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    Dec 25th 2014, 1:02 AM

    Might be surprised???
    I’m Shocked!!!

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