After Manchester United solidified our spot in the Premier League’s third spot with three points against Brentford at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick paid tribute to Casemiro and his midfield partner Kobbie Mainoo.
The Brazilian was at his best in the win over the Bees, opening the scoring with a header in the 11th minute before making a phenomenal number of tackles and clearances to keep the Reds ahead in what was a tricky game against Keith Andrews’s high-flying visitors.
As he enters his final few games in a Manchester United shirt ahead of his departure at the end of this season, Carrick gave credit to the 34-year-old’s professionalism and also spoke about how Mainoo is flourishing alongside the South American.
You can read every word from our head coach’s press conference following the 2-1 triumph below...
“It’s pretty clear how much it means to him. Probably the situation, the clarity of it, has helped everything. It means a lot to him and credit to him because he’s giving absolutely everything and he’s had some big moments for us. All round, it’s quite a nice direction for it to be taking.”
How can you maximise Casemiro’s presence on the field and elsewhere in his final games?
“Case has had an influence within the group. He’s got huge experience. He’s a big player who has achieved an awful lot in the game. I have to say since I’ve arrived, he’s given everything he could possibly give. The situation has probably helped that. Knowing exactly where he's at. He’s got nothing to hide. He’s thrown himself right into it. It’s football, players come and go. Players have come and left this football club over the years. You’ve got to evolve and move on and adapt. That’s the world that we’re in. It’s nice that he’s got that connection with the supporters and it comes from both ways because I know he’s an emotional guy and it means a lot to him.”
“We had to see a few sides actually. Credit to Keith [Andrews] and his staff and the team. They’re a good team, they’re tough to play against. They ask certain questions. I thought we started fantastically in the game, looked really dangerous, probably could have had an extra goal or two. And then they came into it a little bit, so half-time was a good position for us to be in. We tweaked a couple of things at half-time and probably had a bit more control of the game, it wasn’t as open, which at that stage was exactly what we wanted really. Seeing the game out in tough circumstances. It’s a big three points. It’s that time of the season where results are crucial. To win again is a good habit to get used to but it’s an important one for us.”
When did you decide on the tactical change?
“It was around five or six minutes before half-time, before the second goal. We just felt we were a bit too open at certain times. We still could be dangerous but we wanted to stop certain spaces and have a bit more control within the game, while still carrying the threat. It was purely tactical. Second half, we came out and had control but still went forward and looked dangerous which was what the game needed at that point. The second goal put us in a great position to have more control of the game and in the end it’s gone to plan and we’ve won the game, so we’re happy with that.”
“I thought on the back of the Chelsea game, where he was particularly good and showed similar things, with a bit of everything. His build-up play, his taking of the ball, his creation and starting the attacks, he’s so effective with that. But definitely, his duels, his 1v1s, recovery runs and back-tackling - over the last two games he’s taken that up a level. It’s great to see that he can do it. We know that he can do it. We’re trying to give him more responsibility as the games go on. We’re still not expected too much of him and understand and try to help him a bit, but he’s doing great at the moment.”
You must feel like Champions League qualification is all but secured now?
“We’ve given ourselves a great chance. We’ve put ourselves in a big position. I think these last two results have been big for that. It’s a tough league, it’s tough to get wins. You can see that throughout the league. To get the amount of wins we have, especially after the setbacks that we’ve had. The Newcastle defeat, to bounce back against Villa. The Leeds one, to bounce back again. The lads have got to take a bit of credit for that. This week has been very effective in terms of the league. The other side of it is that Champions League is one thing but it’s not something that we should be over-celebrating either. We want to be finishing higher up the league and challenging and getting more points. Our season doesn’t come to a close when that happens. It’s one thing certainly, we need to try to achieve it, but there’s still more work to be done.”
“Hopefully, he does. He deserves it for the impact that he’s had and the moments that he’s created. Whether that’s creating or scoring or having other influences within the group. He’s had a big season, there’s no getting away from it. It was another good performance from him tonight.
“
What are the strengths of being able to switch systems during a game?
“I think we have got to be able to adapt and play certain things. I’m not a big numbers formation kind of guy. It’s certain games, certain things. You can put formations and numbers on paper but then there are only certain moments you’re in those numbers, whether you’re pressing or a little bit deeper. It’s about what we’re trying to achieve. We’re trying to be flexible. Flexibility and adaptability is important and managing the game with what we need, I thought we did that tonight.”
How important is it to have Benjamin Sesko as a number nine who doesn't need a lot of chances to score?
“It’s great that he can score on the first one. I think the way the game is at times now, if you are an out-and-out number nine, the game has moved away from it a bit. I think if you are a striker that lives on the last line and plays for us, sometimes you’re not always necessarily always involved in the game. But that’s not the role, he’s certainly got a part to play in link-play and out of possession. If you look at the out-and-out number nines to pick moments and be there at the right time. It was a big moment for us. He was so calm and composed with it. It just shows the steps that he has made to be in that situation and have that that confidence to put the ball away in the way that he did.”