When Manchester United found themselves 2-0 down within no time at Arsenal on Sunday, I looked over at my mate and said ‘can you believe this is happening when Manchester United have a midfield of Carrick and Schweinsteiger?’
Carrick and Schweinsteiger. Defensive midfielders don’t tend to come much better than those two so it was even more surprising that Arsenal had waltzed through not only them, but the defence, twice, in the opening ten minutes.
Manchester United may still be a bit slow int heir build up play but they have looked a lot more solid this season.
And, against Liverpool, the pair were imperious. But against Arsenal they looked statuesque. Sluggish. Past it, essentially.
It’s difficult to know, at this stage, whether the pair will go on to regularly recreate the Liverpool performance or whether the Arsenal game was a portent of things to come.
Some pairings simply don’t work and many in the media have suggested that Schneiderlin should have played alongside one of them to offer the pace, energy and dynamism that has perhaps drained out of their legs in more recent years.
We believe that they may well be too one-paced to play together. But they cannot be condemned completely based on the Arsenal game.
It was one of those days where everything went right for The Gunners. Manchester United were 2-0 down and shellshocked after just a few minutes and failed to respond.
It may well turn out that Carrick and Schweinsteiger are a great pairing at home but the inclusion of Schneiderlin is vital in away matches when more ground has to be covered because Manchester United have less possession.
But, make no mistake. They are both winners who will come back from this.
