Manchester United snapped a three-game losing streak as they beat League One side Northampton 3-1 in Round 3 of the EFL Cup.
Club veteran Michael Carrick opened the scoring for the Red Devils on Wednesday, but the Cobblers pegged their way back into the game through a penalty slotted home by Alexander Revell in the 42nd minute.
It was one way traffic in the second period as United kept pushing forward and regained the ascendancy. Ander Herrera scored an impressive low-lying shot from distance to make it 2-1 before Marcus Rashford capitalised on the goalkeeper’s poor positioning to double the Reds’ advantage.
A number of players had decent games for Manchester United, but the Old Trafford faithful singled out Carrick’s performance on the day:
Carrick’s goal. pic.twitter.com/pJ4LhPU4aD
— P. (@Unitedesque) September 21, 2016
Carrick has got to play for United, Everything goes through him..
— Jordan Thompson (@x88_j) September 21, 2016
Carrick, Herrera, Pogba should be our midfield partnership
— Yusuf (@XtremezDon) September 21, 2016
Carrick, One of the most underrated players in the game. You don’t know what you have until it’s 35 and coming to an end #MUFC
— Mancunian. (@ManUnitedWriter) September 21, 2016
That ‘Carrick,hard to believe he’s not Scholes’ song is a bit far fetched.
Carrick has never once refused to play for Manchester United…
— Catthew Mole, MBE (@Crazy_Cole79) September 21, 2016
This is exactly why Carrick needs to start over Fellaini
— HZ (@VintageDaley) September 21, 2016
Why has Fellaini been starting as DM over Carrick. It’s like pouring cold water over your Sunday Roast instead of gravy#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 21, 2016
Benefits of having Fellaini in the team are obvious. But he can’t control the speed of a game like Carrick can. His goal was good, too.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) September 21, 2016
Maintain Carrick is United’s best deep-lying midfielder, regardless of whether some might take that as an indictment of past recruitment.
— Greg Johnson (@gregianjohnson) September 21, 2016
A very tasty finish from Carrick should stop the rot for @ManUtd
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2016
Carrick’s passing percentages always high. Goals added extra.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) September 21, 2016
Superb start from Carrick! Spraying accurate fast 30 yards passed about. This is what we need#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 21, 2016
“Only Northampton” but Carrick ?
— Tom McDermott (@footballmcd) September 21, 2016
Less than a minute for Carrick to spray a 40 yard pass accurately and set up an attack. Fellaini can’t do that#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 21, 2016
Carrick still could contribute so much at United, such experience and calmness! Come on #mufc ??????
— MM ✌?️ (@TheOfficialDerm) September 21, 2016