Man Utd have enforcer to match Steven Gerrard, Nemanja Matic and Yaya Toure - Bryan Robson

That is the view of United legend Bryan Robson, who believes 33-year-old Carrick still possesses the confidence and aptitude required to cut in in the Premier League.

Chelsea, Liverpool and City have all benefitted from having diligent central midfielders this season, with Nemanja Matic, Steven Gerrard and Yaya Toure respectively hauling their sides through games.

And Robson insists United have a man who can do that job of structuring the team from the centre, with Carrick a vital cog in manager Louis van Gaal's top-four plans.

“I know he gets criticised from some sections of the fans at times and has in the past but Michael Carrick is really important for United,” Robson told the Manchester Evening News.

“He brings a presence and great passing control. He is one of the only midfield players in our squad who can dictate a game.

“Not many other teams have it either. You have Gerrard at Liverpool, Matic at Chelsea and Yaya Toure at City and Michael can dictate games for us.

“He has lovely control of the ball. That first goal for Fellaini against Spurs, there are so many people playing that pass between so many defenders they would have over hit it and it would have gone out of play but Michael was lovely and smooth about it and gave Fellaini a great chance to hit it first time.

“The stats prove that when he is in the side we are a far more successful team than when he’s not.”