Michael Carrick is finally taking centre stage with his performances for Manchester United Rome 2009 was his nadir. Carrick was swept aside by Iniesta, Xavi and the rest of Barcelona's elegant swarm, so placing the darkest of debit marks in the ledger of his career. Many present in the Olympic Stadium have not forgotten an ill-considered Carrick pass being picked off by Iniesta to create a goal for Samuel Eto'o. During the inevitable and painful inquest, Carrick's name was mentioned prominently but others also bore culpability for a cadaver of a performance, not least Cristiano Ronaldo, who had one of his self-obsessed peacock nights. Yet events that evening highlighted one of Carrick's weaknesses, namely that he can struggle when pressed. He needs a yard of space. He can require two touches to control the ball and move it on, unlike a Scholes, Iniesta or Xavi, masters of the first-time pass. A year later, in losing on away goals to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, Carrick's failure to take rare scoring chances was noted when he squandered a good opportunity early on. Those who take Carrick to task for occasionally switching off fumed as he allowed Ivica Olic to score just before half-time. For some of his detractors, Carrick's genial personality is an issue but this "too nice to hurt the opposition" critique dissolves when mention is made of other midfielders plying their accomplished trade, humble characters like Iniesta and Xavi. They certainly hurt the opposition. For too long there has been the feeling that Carrick could seize control of games more, applying his talent more consistently. Even taking into account his tactical duties, sitting deep, a selfless servant to Sir Alex Ferguson's requirements, Carrick could still have dictated more frequently the early parts of United attacks more forcibly. Fast forward a year from that Bayern setback and Carrick was supremely influential in helping United past Chelsea in the quarter-finals. He ensured Frank Lampard could not dwell in possession. He released Ryan Giggs with a 45-yard pass in creating Wayne Rooney's goal. As has become apparent, Carrick is at his best when he has pacier colleagues around him. In the second leg, he was able to find Antonio Valencia and Rafael, again demonstrating a tendency to pass more to the right flank than left. Carrick ran midfield that night. Lampard and Michael Essien failed to close him down. Neither Fernando Torres nor Didier Drogba dropped deep to harry him. Carrick had time and space to express himself. The 2011 quarter-final also showed another strength, his ability to gain possession (seven times) through stealthy interception rather than robust tackle. His tackling style reflects his personality; there is no confrontation, no flying in, no physical statement of imposing himself on the opposition, simply a calm, measured interception. He stays on his feet. He rarely gets cautioned. He is different to Scholes. But in the Wembley final, Carrick was taught another lesson by Barcelona, sent spinning on what Ferguson calls their "carousel" of circulating the ball quickly between friendly feet. Against the best, he struggled. Old concerns are fading, though. This season, the Carrick Appreciation Society has grown, new members flooding in particularly after the Manchester derby in December. Carrick patrolled in front of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, coolly picking off incoming danger, calmly redistributing the ball, again mainly to the right, with a decent 44 of his 60 passes deemed "successful" by Opta. Carrick was such a force in the 3-2 triumph at the Etihad that he even received the compliment of a nasty, late tackle from Carlos Tévez deep in injury time. When Carrick discusses whether he dominates games enough he points out that as long as Ferguson keeps picking him then that is all the acclaim he craves. Yet Carrick has also been fortunate that other contenders for that central station at Old Trafford have had problems. Owen Hargreaves was inhibited by injury and Darren Fletcher by illness. Anderson's coltish promise has been stymied by injury and, arguably, a failure to train on. Such was Ferguson's concern about the need for a midfield dictator that he brought Scholes back. Maybe now, with Scholes" powers waning, Carrick will fully flourish. Maybe it was also a mistake Carrick taking Roy Keane's old No 16 shirt. He was never going to rival the Irishman's knack of owning a game as Keane did so stirringly in Turin in 1999. Yet Carrick deserves praise for being a team-minded player, for helping build the stage for the stars to perform on. Back in 1998-99, Joe Cole was the leading light of West Ham's FA Youth Cup-winning team but it is his old team-mate Carrick who has the more impressive CV. Maybe Carrick is most appreciated by team-mates and opponents. Maybe Carrick will receive most respect only when he has retired. Pity. His form this season deserves celebrating.