The Manchester United central defensive midfield (CDM) position has been a major talking point for many a year and will be spoken about for many more it seems. Until United do sign the world class CDM they desperately need, they'll have to make do with the two available to them now; Daley Blind and Michael Carrick. But who is the better of the two?
The modern day CDM is judged heavily on passing and distribution. Michael Carrick has played 13 games this season and has a pass completion of 90% (723 successful passes) while Daley Blind has played 11 games and has a pass completion of 89% (657 successful passes). Carrick also leads in terms of attempted forward passes with 590 (Blind 491) but loses out on backward passes having recorded 215 and Blind 240.
Although Blind leads on more backward passes, he seems to be having more of an impact in the attacking sense. The Dutchman has recorded 9 key passes (Carrick 4) created 10 chances for his team mates (Carrick 5) and both players have made an assist each. Blind's attacking superiority is further shown in the comparison of their goal tally, with Blind on 1 and Carrick yet to find the back of the net.
Furthermore, Blind continues to dominate Carrick defensively also. The 24-year-old has made 38 interceptions, 37 clearances, won 23 tackles and made 8 blocks in comparison to Carrick’s 20 interceptions, 31 clearances, 18 tackles and 2 blocks. Following the common theme, Blind comes out on top again on all fronts bar blocks.
According to the stats, facts and figures above, Daley Blind seems like the player to go with instead of Michael Carrick. With Carrick ruled out for a supposed 4 weeks with a muscle rupture, Blind will have the opportunity to show why he is the superior CDM. He’s made a great start to his Manchester United career and still needs to prove himself, whereas Carrick is an accomplished United player and deputy captain. February should prove to be an interesting month in the never ending Manchester United midfield struggle.
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| Michael Carrick and Daley Blind |
Although Blind leads on more backward passes, he seems to be having more of an impact in the attacking sense. The Dutchman has recorded 9 key passes (Carrick 4) created 10 chances for his team mates (Carrick 5) and both players have made an assist each. Blind's attacking superiority is further shown in the comparison of their goal tally, with Blind on 1 and Carrick yet to find the back of the net.
Furthermore, Blind continues to dominate Carrick defensively also. The 24-year-old has made 38 interceptions, 37 clearances, won 23 tackles and made 8 blocks in comparison to Carrick’s 20 interceptions, 31 clearances, 18 tackles and 2 blocks. Following the common theme, Blind comes out on top again on all fronts bar blocks.
According to the stats, facts and figures above, Daley Blind seems like the player to go with instead of Michael Carrick. With Carrick ruled out for a supposed 4 weeks with a muscle rupture, Blind will have the opportunity to show why he is the superior CDM. He’s made a great start to his Manchester United career and still needs to prove himself, whereas Carrick is an accomplished United player and deputy captain. February should prove to be an interesting month in the never ending Manchester United midfield struggle.
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