Man United’s Carrick could play for Barcelona, says Arsenal boss Wenger

Arsene Wenger would pick Michael Carrick as his winner of the PFA player of the year award and claims the Manchester United midfielder is good enough to play for Barcelona.

Carrick, 31, has been named on the six-man shortlist for the end-of-season prize along with Robin van Persie, Luis Suárez, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Gareth Bale, with the winner set to be announced on Sunday after Manchester United face Arsenal in north London.

And Wenger believes that the “underrated” England international would be a worthy winner of this year’s prize.

“I would choose Carrick,” Wenger said. “He is a quality passer. He could play for Barcelona, he would be perfectly suited to their game.

“He has a good vision and is an intelligent player, and it is for what he has achieved in his whole career as well.

“It is this year or never for him, just because he is 31 and after, they go down.

“I think Carrick is an underrated player in England and sometimes not only should the goalscorer be rewarded but the real players at the heart of the game.”