Really, based on what evidence?
It's difficult to know, but I've only ever felt like he is really invested in developing young players, but clearly they need to have the talent for that to happen.
Whether or not they have the talent is the question. But looking at this season the following academy players have been included in the squad:
Kavanagh, 3 appearances, 22 minutes
Nkrumah: none
Agyemang: none
Finch: none but injured for long time, same for Willis
McCabe 2 apps, 9 minutes
Cartwright 1 apps, 4 minutes
woolstone: none
Bridge: none
Bilongo none
The only recent academy grads who have played more than 30 minutes under Carrick are Coburn and Hackney and they were brought into the team before Carrick.
It could be that, simply, Carrick doesn't rate any of them but even in the midst of the worst injury crisis I've ever seen he would rather play senior players out of position than an academy player in their own position.
In general he is reluctant to use any but a very small core of players he seems to trust. That's not unusual in a manager but, to date, I see no actual evidence beyond some kind words that Carrick is either interested in developing academy players or capable of it. When you consider the amount we spend on it, that is a problem.
Just to say it again, maybe the current crop of seniors are simply not good enough in any circumstances while the 18 year olds have potential but are nowhere near close to ready.
The rest of this season will tell us more. We have Greenwood, O'Brien, Thomas and Ayling on loan and the only one there is even the slightest chance we might sign is Ayling and only then if Smith's injury is potentially career ending. If he keeps playing all of them rather than academy players then we're just wasting valuable experience. Personally I would tell Greenwood, O'Brien and Thomas that we won't be trying to sign them or extend their loan so it's time to go back to their clubs and train. It's clear that he doesn't rate Dijksteel so drop him entirely. Carrick himself needs to be brave and give some of the academy youngsters a decent run out.