Neville: “Carrick is like Pirlo, Scholes and Busquets”

Gary Neville has heaped praise on Michael Carrick, describing his former teammate as a combination between Andrea Pirlo, Paul Scholes and Sergio Busquets.

Carrick has been pivotal to Manchester United’s resurgence over the last month and a half but he was badly missed as Louis Van Gaal’s men stumbled to consecutive defeats at Chelsea and Everton.

While at Stamford Bridge United matched the hosts for large parts of the game, at Goodison Park they were overrun in midfield as Daley Blind and Ander Herrera struggled to impose themselves on the game.

“I’d say Carrick has the qualities of a Scholes or Andrea Pirlo, and of a Sergio Busquets,” said Neville.

“Busquets does more defending and Pirlo is more of a rhythm player, like Scholes. Michael is a mix between the two styles.

“It’s unfair to say he is the same as one or the other – he’s different – but he has those qualities.

“He’s critical for Louis van Gaal and he’s a very important player for England in the next 12 months leading up to a European ­Championship. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have retired, and now Michael Carrick has an opportunity.”

Neville added that the United midfielder brought a sense of calm and poise to the team, which was vital for younger players.

“That’s important for young players. We want cultured players,” he said.

“We want players who can see the game, who are intelligent, who understand the game, where to be, when to be [there] and be a coach out on the pitch. That’s what he is.

“The reality is Michael Carrick will be remembered incredibly well by Manchester United players that played with him. But he’ll only be respected when he finishes. He’s an unsung hero.”