Middlesbrough welcome automatic-promotion hopefuls Leeds United to the Riverside Stadium on Monday evening.
Michael Carrick‘s side have nothing of note to play for in their remaining three games but they’ll certainly want to end the season strongly to carry momentum over to next season.
Further, they’ll no doubt want to upset Leeds’ promotion push, as the West Yorkshire outfit hunt down the top two.
Boro will need to be at their very best against one of the best attacks in the league and Carrick will need to devise a plan to stop this ‘outstanding’ ace.
Michael Carrick must keep Georginio Rutter quiet
Georginio Rutter is a player Middlesbrough will need to keep a close eye on, as most of the visitors’ attacks will run through him.
It has emerged that Rutter has created the second most big chances in the Championship this season with 22, only Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu (28) can better that feat, as per Fotmob.
Leeds forked out a whopping £35.5m for his signature a little over a year ago and after a tough start with Jesse Marsch, he’s really found his feet under the stewardship of Daniel Farke.
Still only 21, the France youth international has plenty of time to get even better, which is pretty remarkable considering he’s laid on 17 league assists this term.
So, it begs the question, how can Carrick keep Rutter quiet, given he’s been virtually unplayable for much of the season?
How Michael Carrick can stop Georginio Rutter
Carrick should use Blackburn Rovers as a blueprint.
The Lancashire outfit shocked Leeds last weekend by securing a 1-0 win at Elland Road, which was their first league defeat there all season.
John Eustace was able to suffocate the space in the pockets, not allowing the likes of Rutter, amongst others, time to turn and run at goal.
So, the Boro boss has a ready-made plan of action to nullify the Leeds playmaker, it just requires bravery from his centre-backs.
Matt Clarke and Rav van den Berg will need to be aggressive in their approach and willing to step out of their shape to win first contacts.
If Farke’s side bypass the initial press, it’s vital that important Middlesbrough’s centre-halves are ready to anticipate a ball into Rutter or Crysencio Summerville, who just picked up the Championship Player of the Season award.
It’s going to have to be a collective effort on Monday evening.
