Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick

Carrick with Manchester United in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Michael Carrick[1]
Date of birth	(1981-07-28) 28 July 1981 (age 43)[1]
Place of birth	Wallsend, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s)	Defensive Midfielder
Team information
Current team	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)
International career
	England U18	4	(0)
2000–2003	England U21	14	(2)
2006	England B	1	(0)
2001–2015	England	34	(0)
Managerial career
2021	Manchester United (caretaker)
2022–	Middlesbrough
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael Carrick (born 28 July 1981) is an English professional football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of EFL Championship club Middlesbrough. He is considered as one of the best midfielders of his generation and is known for his 12-year playing career with Manchester United, whom he also captained.^[3] Carrick was a defensive 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.^[4][5]

Carrick began his career at West Ham United, joining the youth team in 1997 and winning the FA Youth Cup two years later. 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. 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. 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 2024, he is one of only two English players 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.^[6][7] In winning the 2016 FA Cup, Carrick completed his collection of every domestic honour in the English game.^[8]

Carrick has represented England at under-18, under-21, B and senior levels. 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. This was the case until the 2012–13 season, when Carrick established himself as a regular. He was a member of the England squad for two major tournaments, the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.