Gary Neville has highlighted the importance of Michael Carrick in the Manchester United line-up.

The veteran midfielder missed Sunday's clash with Everton and Goodison Park and Neville suggests the 3-0 loss was partly down to the fact that there was no Carrick in central midfield for Louis van Gaal's side.

"When Michael Carrick doesn't play, their record without him shows he is missed," said the former United captain on the Gary Neville Podcast.

"It is not just the control and composure, but it is his forward passes, he just moves the ball forward into good areas quickly.

"When United won the ball back today they didn't get the ball forward quick enough.

"Michael Carrick does that. Even if it is only a 10-yard pass, he gets the move moving in the right way.

"They miss him badly, they really do. It is no coincidence they have lost the last two games without him."