Michael Carrick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Michael Carrick

Carrick with Manchester United in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Michael Carrick
Date of birth	(1981-07-28) 28 July 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth	Wallsend, England
Height	6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Middlesbrough (head coach)
Youth career
1986–1997	Wallsend Boys Club
1997–1999	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2004	West Ham United	136	(6)
1999	→ Swindon Town (loan)	6	(2)
2000	→ Birmingham City (loan)	2	(0)
2004–2006	Tottenham Hotspur	64	(2)
2006–2018	Manchester United	316	(17)
Total		524	(27)
National team
	England U18	4	(0)
2000–2003	England U21	14	(2)
2006	England B	1	(0)
2001–2015	England	34	(0)
Teams managed
2021	Manchester United (caretaker)
2022–	Middlesbrough
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Michael Carrick (born 28 July 1981) is an English professional football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Championship club Middlesbrough. Many people think he was one of the best midfielders of his time. He is famous for playing 12 years with Manchester United, where he was also the captain. Carrick usually played as a defensive midfielder. However, he sometimes played as a centre-back when needed. His main strength as a player was his amazing passing skills.

Carrick started his football journey at West Ham United in 1997. He helped their youth team win the FA Youth Cup two years later. Early in his career, he went on loan to Swindon Town and Birmingham City. By the 2000–01 season, he became a regular player for West Ham. After playing over 150 games for West Ham, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004. He played well for Tottenham for two seasons. Then, in 2006, he joined Manchester United for £14 million.

From his first game, Carrick was a key player for Manchester United. In his first season, he played over 50 matches. He helped the team win the Premier League in 2006–07, their first title in four years. The next season, he was part of the team that won the Champions League final in 2008. He played the whole 120 minutes and scored in the penalty shootout. This win helped them achieve the European Double. As of 2024, he is one of only two English players, along with Wayne Rooney, to win many major trophies. These include the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, League Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup. When he won the FA Cup in 2016, he had won every main trophy in English football.

Carrick has played for England at different levels. He played for the under-18, under-21, B, and senior teams. He first played for England's senior team in 2001. He played 34 games for England but did not score any goals. For much of his England career, other players were often chosen over him. However, in the 2012–13 season, he became a regular player. He was part of England's squad for two World Cup tournaments, in 2006 and 2010.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Michael Carrick was born in Wallsend, England. He started playing football at age four. He was a big fan of Newcastle United. He played five-a-side football at Wallsend Boys Club because his dad volunteered there. When he was nine, he had trials with several big clubs. These included Middlesbrough, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

Football became more serious for him at 12. He was chosen to play for his school and local teams. When he played for Wallsend Boys' Club's under-16s, he also played for the England Boys' club team. At 13, he was even featured on a BBC children's TV show called Live & Kicking. Before joining West Ham United, Carrick played as a centre-forward. It was at West Ham that he started playing more as a midfielder. He finished his school exams in 1997.

Club Career Highlights

West Ham United Journey

Carrick was part of the West Ham United youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1998–99. He scored two goals in their big 9–0 win in the final. His manager, Harry Redknapp, said Carrick struggled physically at first. He missed almost two seasons due to injuries from growing quickly.

Carrick made his first team debut for West Ham in a European game in July 1999. His league debut came a month later. In November 1999, he went on loan to Swindon Town. There, he scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 loss to Charlton Athletic. He scored again for Swindon before returning to West Ham. In February 2000, he had another loan spell at Birmingham City. Back at West Ham, he scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 win over Coventry City. He was named West Ham United's Young Player of the Year in his first season.

In the 2000–01 season, Carrick became a regular player. He played 41 games and scored one goal. He signed a new contract and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He won West Ham's Young Player of the Year award again. In the 2001–02 season, he played 32 games and scored two goals. However, a groin injury meant he missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The 2002–03 season was tough as West Ham were relegated from the Premier League. Carrick chose to stay with the club in the First Division. In the 2003–04 season, West Ham reached the play-offs but lost the final. Carrick was chosen for the PFA Team of the Year for the First Division.

Time at Tottenham Hotspur

After West Ham's relegation, Carrick wanted to play in the Premier League again. Many clubs were interested in him. In August 2004, he joined Tottenham Hotspur for about £3.5 million. He made his Tottenham debut in October 2004.

At first, he wasn't playing much under manager Jacques Santini. But when Martin Jol became the new manager, Carrick started playing regularly. He helped Tottenham win games and became an important midfielder. In December 2005, he scored his first goal for Tottenham. He scored again in April 2006. Towards the end of the 2005–06 season, Carrick and other players got food poisoning. This affected their final game, and Tottenham missed out on a Champions League spot. Carrick was praised for his passing and assists that season.

Manchester United Success

Carrick celebrates a goal with Cristiano Ronaldo (left) in the Manchester derby in a 3–1 home win in 2006

In June 2006, Manchester United made a bid for Carrick. Their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, saw him as a replacement for Roy Keane. Tottenham initially refused, but a deal was agreed in July. Carrick joined Manchester United for £14 million, potentially rising to £18.6 million. He was given the number 16 shirt, previously worn by Keane.

Carrick made his Manchester United debut in a friendly match in August 2006. He then injured his foot and missed the start of the 2006–07 season. He made his competitive debut in August. In January 2007, he scored his first goal for Manchester United. He also scored his first FA Cup goal and two Champions League goals that season. His first season ended with success as Manchester United won the Premier League title.

In October 2007, Carrick broke his elbow, keeping him out for six weeks. He returned in November. He scored two goals in the 2007–08 season, helping United win another league title. On May 21, he played in his first Champions League final in Moscow. United won 6–5 on penalties against Chelsea, and Carrick scored his penalty. This was his first European trophy.

Carrick (back) defending a shot from Lionel Messi in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Carrick injured his ankle. He was out for a few weeks. He scored his first goal of the season in November. In May 2009, he scored a late winning goal against Wigan. This goal helped United secure their third straight Premier League title. On May 27, Carrick played in the 2009 Champions League Final against Barcelona. United lost 2–0, and Carrick called it the "worst night of his career."

In the 2009–10 season, Carrick scored his first Champions League goal against Wolfsburg. Due to injuries in the team, he sometimes played as a centre-back, even though he was a midfielder. Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with his efforts. He scored his first League Cup goal in January 2010. He played the whole League Cup Final against Aston Villa, which United won 2–1. This was his first League Cup medal.

Continued Success and Later Years

In August 2010, Carrick was expected to miss the start of the 2010–11 season due to an ankle injury. However, he surprisingly played in the Community Shield against Chelsea. In March 2011, he signed a new three-year contract. He played a key role in a Champions League win over Chelsea.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Carrick again made a surprise start in the 2011 FA Community Shield. In December, he scored his first goal for United in 70 games. In January 2012, he played his 250th match for Manchester United. He also played his 500th career match in February 2012.

In the 2012–13 season, Carrick sometimes played as a temporary centre-back due to injuries. He scored his first goal of the season in a Champions League win against Galatasaray. In April 2013, he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year Award. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger praised his passing and intelligence. Carrick was included in the PFA Team of the Year and was named Manchester United's Players' Player of the Year.

In November 2013, Carrick signed a contract extension until 2015. The 2013–14 season was challenging for him and the team. He struggled with an achilles problem. In February 2014, he was criticized by former captain Roy Keane. Despite this, he played 42 games that season.

Carrick playing in a pre-season friendly in 2015

In July 2014, Carrick suffered an injury that kept him out for 12 weeks. He returned in November 2014. He even offered to play as a makeshift centre-back again. When he returned to the team, Manchester United's form improved greatly. Sir Alex Ferguson called Carrick the best English player in December 2014. Carrick was also named Manchester United's new vice-captain. In March 2015, he scored his first goal in over a year against Tottenham. He signed a new one-year contract extension.

Carrick made his 400th Manchester United appearance in January 2016. In May, he played the full 120 minutes in United's FA Cup win. This victory meant he had won every major domestic trophy in England. He signed another one-year contract extension in June 2016.

Carrick receiving a guard of honour at Old Trafford before his final match in 2018

In the 2016–17 season, Carrick scored his first goal in the EFL Cup. He became a key player for manager José Mourinho. Mourinho praised his ability to control the game and pass accurately. In May 2017, Carrick extended his contract again. He was given a special testimonial match in June 2017 to celebrate his 11 years at the club. The game raised money for his chosen charities. After Wayne Rooney left, Carrick became the club captain in July 2017.

In November 2017, Carrick shared that he had a heart issue. He had a procedure, and it was successful. In January 2018, he announced he would join the club's coaching staff after retiring as a player. He played his 464th and final game for Manchester United on May 13, 2018. He received a standing ovation from the fans.

International Career for England

Carrick played for England's under-18 and under-21 teams. He was first called up to the senior team in February 2001. He made his England debut in May 2001, replacing David Beckham. His first full start was in May 2005.

In May 2006, manager Sven-Göran Eriksson picked Carrick for the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. Carrick played one game in the tournament, a 1–0 win against Ecuador. However, he was often overlooked for central midfield roles in favor of players like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Under new manager Fabio Capello, Carrick was often left out of the squad. However, he returned in November 2008 for a friendly against Germany. He was named Man of the Match by the BBC. He was also part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he did not play any games in the tournament.

In May 2012, England manager Roy Hodgson explained why Carrick wasn't in the UEFA Euro 2012 squad. Carrick had said he didn't want to be a "bit-part player." However, Hodgson recalled him to the squad in August 2012. Carrick played well in several World Cup qualifiers, helping England qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was on the standby list for that tournament.

In March 2015, Carrick played for England again after 17 months. He played in a 4–0 win against Lithuania. He also played well in a friendly draw against Italy. In November 2015, he suffered an ankle injury during a match against Spain. This was his last appearance for England.

Coaching Career

Manchester United Coach

After retiring as a player, Carrick joined José Mourinho's coaching staff at Manchester United. In December 2018, Mourinho was sacked. Carrick briefly became the acting caretaker manager. Then, Ole Gunnar Solskjær was appointed, and Carrick stayed on his coaching staff.

On November 21, 2021, after Solskjær left, Carrick was named caretaker manager. His first game was a Champions League match against Villarreal, which United won. He also oversaw a 3–2 victory against Arsenal. After three matches, with two wins and one draw, Carrick stepped down. This was when Ralf Rangnick was appointed interim manager.

Middlesbrough Manager

On October 24, 2022, Carrick became the head coach of Championship club Middlesbrough. The team was in 21st place when he took over. Middlesbrough lost his first game, but then Carrick led them to many wins. He won 16 of his first 23 games.

In December 2022, he was nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award. He won the award for March 2023. Middlesbrough finished 4th in the league but lost in the play-off semi-finals. In his second season, Carrick guided Middlesbrough to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. They won the first leg against Chelsea but lost the second leg. Middlesbrough finished 8th in the 2023–24 season. On June 3, 2024, Carrick signed a new three-year contract with the club.

How Michael Carrick Played

Michael Carrick played as a deep-lying midfielder. He wasn't known for being super fast or having endless stamina. Instead, he used his intelligence and calm approach to read the game. He was great at anticipating attacks and covering space.

His best skills were his passing, vision, and creativity. He could control the speed of the game and start attacks for his team. His passing range was considered among the best in Europe.

When he joined Manchester United in 2006, he worked well with Paul Scholes. Carrick played in a holding role, and Scholes was a deep playmaker. This partnership helped Manchester United play a more European style of football. This style focused on passing and keeping possession.

Carrick's quiet style meant he was often overlooked by England managers. They often preferred more active midfielders like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. However, his importance to the team was often praised by teammates like Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Even famous European players like Xavi and Xabi Alonso admired his play. In 2015, The Telegraph called him one of the most "under-rated footballers of all time." They described him as a "highly intelligent and technically gifted deep-lying midfielder."

Personal Life

Michael Carrick married Lisa Roughead, a Pilates instructor, on June 16, 2007. They had been dating since they were in school. They have a daughter named Louise and a son named Jacey.

In October 2018, Carrick shared that he had experienced depression for two years. This happened after the defeat in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final.

Michael has a younger brother named Graeme. Graeme also played football for West Ham United. He later became a coach for the FA and at the Newcastle United Academy.

Images for kids

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  Carrick with Manchester United in 2009

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  Carrick celebrates a goal with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester derby in a 3–1 home win in 2006

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  Carrick (back) defending a shot from Lionel Messi in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final

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  Carrick playing in a pre-season friendly in 2015

• 

  Carrick receiving a guard of honour at Old Trafford before his final match in 2018

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  Carrick (bottom) in the 2–0 defeat to Spain in 2009

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

Source:

International Appearances

Source:

Managerial Statistics

Honours and Awards

As a Player

West Ham United U18

• FA Youth Cup: 1998–99

West Ham United

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999

Manchester United

• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• FA Cup: 2015–16
• Football League/EFL Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17
• FA Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• UEFA Europa League: 2016–17
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04 First Division, 2012–13 Premier League
• Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2012–13

As a Manager

Individual Awards

• EFL Championship Manager of the Month: March 2023

See also

In Spanish: Michael Carrick para niños