Bryan Robson has claimed that former club Manchester United have struggled to replace injured midfielder Michael Carrick this season.
The 33-year-old, who has sat out the first three months of the campaign having undergone ankle surgery in the summer, was an unused substitute against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea, and he is unlikely to feature in Sunday's derby against Manchester City.
United have made an indifferent start in the Premier League, meanwhile, winning just three of their opening nine games under new boss Louis van Gaal.
"Michael's been a big miss to United," Robson told The Express. "When he was injured last season he was a big loss to us and again this season. He's an intelligent player who gets into the right areas.
"He's about 6'2" and defensively at set plays is very good. He intercepts things very well. That's why he's important as well. The only thing the manager has to be careful of is, if there are a few players coming back from injury, you don't want to play too many who are a little bit rusty because it's a derby game."
Carrick joined the Red Devils from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006.
Daniel Lewis
