Michael Carrick has reflected on the time leading up to him leaving Spurs for Manchester United in the summer of 2006. We had only won the League Cup that season, nothing the year before, and had gone since 2003 since winning the Premiership title, but this didn’t sway Carrick’s desperation in joining.
“I went to the World Cup with England and information was filtering through that clubs were in contact,” said Carrick. “Tottenham told me what was happening, but it seemed to drag on and on. I was desperate to come. It was a no brainer for me as soon as I found out United were interested. The first time I spoke to the manager was on the phone when the move was all sorted. I’ve never been so nervous about getting a phone call in my life. I’d heard the rumours about him and I was scared stiff. That phone call will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
After signing for United, Carrick has gone on to win three consecutive league titles, two League Cups, the World Club Cup and scored in the penalty shoot out against Chelsea to help us win the European Cup.
Carrick has explained the difference between his life at Manchester United compared with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham in the past.
“It’s unbelievable here,” he continued. “No disrespect to the teams I played for in the past, but we’d go away and a draw would be a good result. You don’t get that here. You’ve got to go and win. Believing you can win anywhere was a feeling I’d never had before. I remember my first start was in a 2-1 win at Watford and after the game the manager gave the team a right going over. I wasn’t used to that. I was buzzing after a win. I learned there’s a way of doing things at this club. I became accustomed to it. To come to a team like this is incredible. It is the stuff of my dreams. Not just playing with them, but training with them and seeing how they live their lives. That attitude all comes down from the manager and it certainly rubs off on every player who walks through these doors. It’s a daunting thing to do at first. Before I came I spoke to Rio Ferdinand about it, he was the same on his first day of training – and he was a proven international. Nothing prepares you for walking through these doors. You’ve got to justify being here and show you’re worth it – but you quickly fall into the routine.”
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Come back to your full form, Michael, please.
A fit and proper Carrick and Hargreaves will strengthen out midfield considerably.
I was pleased when we signed him in the summer of 2006. Still think he has a lot to offer.
Still love the guy eventho his performances last year wasn’t up to his (or our) standards . Still important to our team
This is the nature of players who become part of the Old Trafford team. The respect for the game, players everything is right up there. This is how a United player lives his life. This is what makes a United player different from others. Carrick !!!!!!! we need you back to your best !! Keep it going !!!!
nice to see a healthy amount of respect (fear?) of SAF from carrick – who i still rate as a class player – good man.
on the other hand, what in the seven levels of chinese hell is wayne rooney thinking!?
The achillies injury really set Michael back. Part of the reason that I have been on about the physios for some time. I realize that even diagnosing some of these injuries is tricky, particularly with the lads wanting to be involved for both club and country. Do hope it is sorted.
Absolutely love the attitude. Favorite lines:
“Nothing prepares you for walking through these doors”. then
“No disrespect to the teams I played for in the past…..a 2-1 win at Watford and after the game the manager gave the team a right going over.” Hope we get back a fit Michael and the winning ways. Come on Saturday. Come on United!!
More critical to United than he get’s credit for. Still has alot to offer.
Agreed, I think Carrick has always been a very good squad player. Didn’t complain when asked to play in Defence with Fletch. He’s got amazing talent… his passing skills are superb, when it’s his night. Either way, I hope he and Roo get back to their form. And for the love of all that is holy, HARGO COME ON SON! Would be nice to have a player of his stature back in the team.
the BOSS!! I still think we’re amazing when he plays…except against barcelona in rome
@CroneKills, Spot on about what Carrick and Fletcher did for us when Rio and Vida were out. The quality of it extended VDSs goalless streak to set the current record. Rock of a positional defender.
@j 7 levels? Understand there are dozens of levels to Chinese underworld. Man, you need to get out more !) But agree, Rooney could easily drag us through the lot if he doesn’t get this sorted. Think Scott just opened a new thread for you to vent this view to the full. Cheers.
Lol, that game at Watford wasn’t our best. They got what was coming. Hopefully Carrick will once again grow in confidence this season.
I’m happy because I just remembered I have the 06/07 Season Review dvd here at work. Time to not do a thing and enjoy some quality football from the boys.
United needs to get goal drunk again… I miss them being that way.
Saw this interview with Paddy Crerand last week. A top lad is Michael.
Carrick sometimes gives the impression that he can’t be arsed about the game. Him and Hargo are a dream midfield combination when fit and firing. C’mon Michael, step up. The team needs you
No disrespect to Carrick but in 2006 I was desperate for Owen Hargreaves and in 2010 its the same.
he never had an achillies injury ……………………. but has been injured basically 4 2 years,
To be honest when he first arrived I was expecting a replacement for Keano
And grew to appreciate Carrick’s subtle style in the middle with Scholes
Really hope he lifts his head up (along with a number of other players) and regains that form and drive
@mufc4life. Only going by the news, this from last month.
188BET Betting Preview: Anderson (cruciate knee ligaments), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Michael Carrick (Achilles) are also currently out of action.
Some describe it as an “achilles infection” what ever that is. But my understanding is that he first injured it at the end of 2008 when he was playing a CF in place of Vida, don’t recall the actual injury but it might have been thigh or ankle. As I recall he barely made it through that run of games and was taking injections to settle the pain. That run cost him a large number of games in 2009.
Carrick DID have an achilles problem.
Wish he’d been playing more often.
As much as I’ve been critical of him, sending out a side that contains neither him or Scholes makes my heart sink.