Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick (born 28 July 1981) is an English professional football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Championship club Middlesbrough.

He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time and is best known for his 12-year playing career with Manchester United, whom he also captained.

Carrick was a central midfielder, but he was used as an emergency centre-back under Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho.

His playing style was grounded in his passing ability.

At age 13, Carrick was profiled by the BBC children's programme Live & Kicking episode 49, which aired on 4 February 1995.

During his school years, and the years up until his move to West Ham United, Carrick actually played as a centre-forward; it was only at West Ham that he started to play more often as a midfielder.

Carrick began his career at West Ham United, joining the youth team in 1997 and winning the FA Youth Cup two years later.

He studied at Wallsend's Western Middle School and Burnside Community High School, completing his GCSE exams in 1997.

Carrick was part of the West Ham United youth squad that won the FA Youth Cup in the 1998–99 season.

He scored twice in their two-legged 9–0 record final victory over Coventry City.

According to his manager at the time, Harry Redknapp, Carrick's difficulty at the start of his career was mainly physical and he lost almost two seasons to injuries because of his rapid growth.

He made his debut for West Ham in a 1–1 away draw with Jokerit in the UEFA Intertoto Cup on 24 July 1999.

His league debut came five weeks later on 28 August, when he replaced Rio Ferdinand in a 3–0 victory over Bradford City at Valley Parade.

In November 1999, Carrick was sent on a one-month loan to Swindon Town and made his first appearance for them in a 0–0 draw at home with Norwich City.

He scored his first professional career goal in a 2–1 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic on 23 November.

He scored once more during his loan spell, netting in a 1–1 draw at home to Walsall on 4 December.

Although he impressed during his spell he could not help the team find a much-needed win during his 6 outings, playing his final game for them in a 3–0 defeat at Manchester City on 18 December.

He was sent on loan twice during his debut season, to Swindon Town and Birmingham City, before securing a place in the first team by the 2000–01 season.

In February 2000, he was sent on loan again, this time to Birmingham City, making just two appearances for the Blues.

Carrick returned to Upton Park and scored his first goal for West Ham United, scoring the first in a 5–0 home win over Coventry City on 22 April.

During his first season he was voted as West Ham United's Young Player of the Year.

Carrick made his West Ham breakthrough in the 2000–01 season, playing 41 games in all competitions, which included 33 games in the league.

He made his England debut in 2001 and went on to gain 34 caps without scoring a goal.

Carrick was often overlooked during his England career, with many of his contemporaries being preferred in his position.

He experienced relegation in the 2002–03 season and was voted into the PFA First Division Team of the Year in the following campaign.

He made more than 150 appearances for the Hammers, and in 2004, he moved to rival London club Tottenham Hotspur for a fee believed to be £3.5 million.

He played an influential role at the club for two seasons before moving to Manchester United in 2006 for £14 million.

From his debut onwards, Carrick was a regular in the Manchester United first team, making more than 50 appearances in his first season with them.

He established himself as a key member of the team that won the Premier League in 2006–07, their first title success in four years.

He was a member of the England squad for two major tournaments, the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Carrick was born to Vince and Lynn Carrick in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, and first became involved in football at age four.

A boyhood fan of Newcastle United, he played five-a-side football with Wallsend Boys Club on Saturday nights, courtesy of his father's volunteer work at the club.

Aged nine, he had trials with Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Football became more serious for him at the age of 12 when he was selected for Burnside High School and later on North Tyneside Schools.

While playing for Wallsend Boys' Club under-16s, he was capped for the England Boys' club side.

The following season he was part of the side that won the 2008 Champions League final, playing the full 120 minutes as they enjoyed a 6–5 penalty shootout win, with Carrick converting his spot kick, to help achieve the European Double.

As of 2023, he is the only English player alongside former teammate Wayne Rooney to win the Premier League title, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.

This was the case until the 2012–13 season, when Carrick established himself as a regular.

In winning the 2016 FA Cup, Carrick completed his collection of every domestic honour in the English game.

Carrick has represented England at under-18, under-21, B and senior levels.