Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has stated that England might have made a grave mistake in taking Michael Carrick to the World Cup 2014. England manager Roy Hodgson preferred to take a young squad with the likes of Ross Barkley featuring in the team at the expense of Carrick. Scholes, who has played in a couple of World Cups during his stellar career, says that Carrick would have been an integral part of the national team with his passing ability. However, he feels that Hodgson decided not to take the 33-year-old because of Manchester United’s poor form rather than his individual form.
Only a couple of players over the age of 30 have been included in the squad. They include the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who have been a major stay in England’s central midfield for the last decade. Carrick has often found it difficult to dislodge despairing, although it is likely that Lampard will be a substitute at the World Cup with Gerrard starting most of the matches. Carrick came out of international retirement only before the Euro 2012 in which England reached the quarter-final stage. This was Hodgson’s debut campaign and this has been followed by a new contract until the Euro 2016.
“Gerrard has adjusted his game superbly, very much like I did.
He is likely to be asked to do a similar job in this England team to his ‘quarterback’ role at Liverpool. However, not bringing Michael Carrick is a mistake. If there’s an injury to Gerrard nobody jumps out to replace him, assuming Roy considers. I don’t see Henderson, Frank Lampard or Jack Wilshire playing Gerrard’s role. At a certain age, you can’t bomb forward anymore,” said Scholes. Scholes has been giving his views about the World Cup for a major betting company.