Michael Carrick is happy with the way Manchester United’s midfield is coming together after the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
Tielemans has already caught the eye during pre-season, while Santos has also shown enough for Michael Carrick to believe Manchester United have improved an important area of the squad. The United boss now wants those players to build relationships and give the team a stronger base going into the new season.
Carrick has particularly liked what he has seen from Tielemans since his £35 million move from Aston Villa.
Latest reports indicate, Manchester United have signed Carlos Baleba as well from Brighton.
Michael Carrick impressed by Tielemans
Tielemans didn’t get a full pre-season with United after returning late from the World Cup, but Carrick says the midfielder has settled in quickly.
“Youri has done what we all expected,” Carrick said. “He knows this club from afar after being involved in the league for most of his career.
“He’s ready to go, and although he did come back late (due to the World Cup) so he’s not had the full pre-season with us but we’ve been settling him in, getting him up to speed, looking after his family and making sure everything away from the pitch is right.”
The midfielder’s attitude has impressed Michael Carrick as much as his ability.
“He’s been fantastic since joining the club. His personality, attitude, mentality, as we all know his abilities from a technical point of view, and we’re delighted to have him.”
Carrick has also made a point of building a relationship with Tielemans given his experience within the squad.
“We get on very well and he’s one of the senior players with a lot of experience, and I’m one of those that try to speak to the senior players a lot to build that connection with them and he’s been great.”
Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes can work together
Bruno Fernandes and Tielemans have already shown some encouraging signs together, but Michael Carrick doesn’t want the midfield to depend on one particular partnership.
“They’re both top players so it can be a good partnership,” he explained.
United’s manager believes good players should naturally find ways to combine.
“We’ve got fantastic players and all the boys can link up so I don’t think it’s necessarily about one or two.”
The early signs have been positive.
“Of course, we need connections and understanding between players, but when you put good players together with a good brain and good technical ability, a lot of time they tend to click and the two of them have already done that.”
Santos has also caught Carrick’s attention since arriving from Chelsea.
“He takes the ball so well, passes the ball forward a lot, understands the positioning of his team-mates and sacrifices himself to make the team better, which is always important.”
The Brazilian’s defensive qualities have also stood out.
“He’s very good defensively, he can read the game in an intelligent way and he’s a fantastic character.”
Michael Carrick is clearly pleased with the midfield options now available to him.
“After the signings, we’ve got a good midfield as it stands. I think we’ve got the balance where they can all play with each other which is important.”
“That area is important because although both ends of the pitch are where the games are finally won and lost, the middle of the pitch connects the whole team.
“Having that foundation is vital for us. That’s what we’re pushing towards this season.”
