Football FanCast columnist Daniel Lomax feels that Michael Carrick has been the catalyst to Man United's recent success and fails to understand why he constantly fails to get the recognition he deserves.

If you think over previous decades, certain players have had a massive influence on their respective clubs. Whether they are produced in England or imported from elsewhere, individuals have to chance to implement their own styles of play on the way their team performs.

Players such as Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry at Arsenal, Zola at Stamford Bridge or Cantona at Manchester United have all graced the Premier League. Being legends, the fans still appreciate the impact and talent that each player held at their club, something which can often spark debate and talking points.

However, one player that does not get the recognition he deserves for the success that he has helped bring to Old Trafford during Manchester United's back-to-back title winning campaigns is Michael Carrick.

The ex West Ham and Tottenham midfielder, who has now won two Premier League titles since arriving at Old Trafford, has been instrumental in helping United win the league. He is calm on the ball and his range of passing is immense. His positional play has improved and, although he does not regularly receive much praise within press circles, he is an intelligent player that delivers nine times out of ten. I for one do not understand how he isn't an England regular.

Carrick, in my opinion, is the main reason that United have been successful this season, as well as last. Okay, I hear you suggesting Ronaldo and rightfully so but, as the man himself mentions in every interview, his team mates allow him to express himself, team mates like Carrick. Manchester United have always, since I have been a regular at Old Trafford, insisted on having a ball playing midfielder that can transform defence into attack within the team. Players such as Robson, Keane, Scholes and even Veron (people often fail to mention that he helped United to a title in 2003) have all had that knack of being able to control the pace and direction of a game.

Someone who can pick out a pass under pressure, can get his head up and use his vision so that the team can move forward and someone who can put a defence under pressure with an expertly timed through ball or cross field pass. He has the ability to switch the play in one effortless movement; meaning that the opposition are constantly being dragged from one side of the pitch to the other. Carrick can do all of this and more.

Whilst he has undoubted ability Carrick has often been accused of being outpaced and unable to tackle but, as his positional sense is so in tune, he can read the play and recover with a well timed interception, which is an invaluable asset. When Ferguson splashed millions at Owen Hargreaves in the summer of 2007 many people, or so called experts, suggested that Carrick would be ousted from Old Trafford. This season Carrick has proved most doubters wrong, including those who sit behind me in the North Stand, and has established himself fully as an integral component of Ferguson's first team. He may not go down as a legend at Old Trafford but he will help leave a collection of trophies in United's cabinet.

Surely it is time Capello utilised Carrick in his England team? How do you rate Michael Carrick and is he the catalyst for Manchester United's success?