Michael Carrick, Manchester United player

Michael Carrick plays an unobtrusive, yet sophisticated game. The midfield player joined Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2006.

Carrick grew up in the north-east of England. He was prominent in schoolboy football, where he played more as a striker than in midfield. His first senior club, West Ham United, converted him into a holding midfield player and he made his debut for them in August 1999. He played for West Ham over five seasons, including the disappointing 2002-2003 season, when he missed a lot of games through injury and when his club ended the season being relegated. In the summer of 2004 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur, where he stayed for two years. Ahead of the 2006-2007 season, Carrick signed for Manchester United. His initial transfer fee was about £14m, with further monies to be paid dependent upon appearances. There were those who believed this too large a sum, although the team’s subsequent success may have led some to re-consider.

Carrick’s play is classy and unhurried. He is a brilliant passer of the ball, combining vision with accuracy. His quietness means he rarely dominates a game and he doesn’t score as many goals as he might, but he has become an extremely valuable member of the Manchester United squad. He will doubtless play many more games for the club despite the competition for midfield places that currently exists.

Carrick first played for England in 2001. With England, too, competition for midfield places is intense and this tends to restrict his international opportunities.