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Top 5 players Manchester United must upgrade for Champions League football next year

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Winning goalscorer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (R) and team mates Anthony Martial (C) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah celebrate victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Winning goalscorer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (R) and team mates Anthony Martial (C) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah celebrate victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Michael Carrick of Manchester United challenges Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Michael Carrick of Manchester United challenges Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) /

4. Michael Carrick

Midfielder Michael Carrick is another Manchester United legend whose play has started to decline due to age. His skill and guile can only cover up his lack of athleticism so much these days and that means he simply cannot be a key figure for the Red Devils next season.

Carrick has made 22 Premier League appearances this season which is far too many for a player who currently possesses a Whoscored.com player rating average of just 6.64. He can still play a beautiful ball if he’s given time, he just lacks the quickness to cope with Premier League caliber competition.

That lack of pace would only be further exposed if United were able to advance in the Champions League. If Carrick struggles to contain mid-tier Premier League attackers, imagine what the likes of La Liga’s elite would do to him. It would not be a pretty sight.

Instead, United would be wise to try to transition Carrick immediately into a coaching role next season. He’s got terrific football intelligence that he could impart to the squad’s youth players. That’s a much better role than watching him try to chase down those same young players on the pitch.

Next: 3. Bastian Schweinsteiger

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