With outstanding vision, quick feet and a broad-ranging repertoire of passes, Michael Carrick proved in his first season at United to be an ideal partner for Paul Scholes, albeit a very different one to the previous number 16, Roy Keane.Contrary to the usual central midfield blend of crafter and grafter, Carrick and Scholes' playmaking talents were key to the free-flowing football which won a ninth Premiership title for United.
It was the first major honour of Carrick’s professional career, although he did win the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1999, scoring twice in the 9-0 finaldemolition of Coventry City.West Ham loaned Carrick out to Swindon in 1999/2000 and then Birmingham in 2000/01 when he earned a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year, eventually won by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.
Carrick spent much of the 2002/03 season sidelined with injury. West Ham were relegated at the end of it but rather than join Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe in an exodus, Carrick stayed for a season in the Championship. However, after losing the 2004 play-off final to Crystal Palace, Carrick decided he couldn't wait another year for a return to the Premiership and moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer worth £2.75million.He blossomed into an accomplished midfielder in two seasons at White Hart Lane. However, he only scored two goals in 64 games and it seemed this low strike-rate would continue at United, at least for the first few months following his £14million transfer (this fee could eventually rise to £18.6million)
.Carrick wears the number 16 shirt for Manchester United, previously worn by former captain Roy Keane.He made his Premiership debut for United on 23 August 2006, coming on as a substitute in United's 3-0 away win over Charlton Athletic.He had sustained an injury in his original debut against Porto in the Amsterdam Tournament. He made his starting line-up debut against Watford on 26 August 2006 at Vicarage road, which United went on to win 2-1.
Carrick had started almost every game for United in the 2006/7 season. He was briefly injured in late December, at which point his 'holding' role in central midfield was filled in by John O'Shea or Darren Fletcher.
Carrick scored his first goal for Manchester United on 13 January 2007 - the Red Devils' second goal in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
On 10 April 2007 Carrick scored two long-range right-foot curlers against A.S. Roma in United's 7-1 victory in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford. He opened the scoring with his first, thus setting United on their way to the semi finals.
With the arrival of Owen Hargreaves at Old Trafford for the 2007/08 season, Carrick acknowledged that he is not guaranteed a place in United's first team.Carrick suffered an injury setback in October 2007, breaking his elbow against A.S. Roma in theUEFA Champions League. He returned on 3 November 2007 coming on as a substitute for Anderson against Arsenal in the Premier League
Birthdate: 28 Jul 1981
Birthplace: Wallsend, North Shields
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 70
Joined United: 31 Aug 2006
United Debut: 23 Aug 2006 v Charlton (A)
International England
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