Michael Carrick surprisingly leaves Manchester United. What is the story of this extraordinary icon?

After Manchester United’s win over Arsenal, Michael Carrick announced that he is quitting at Old Trafford. The highly underrated Red Devils legend is leaving after 15 long years. After paying tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it is now time to thank the best defensive midfielder in the world of his time!

Carrick was born in Wallsend in the north-east of England, home to nearby clubs Newcastle United and Sunderland, but grew up playing football at West Ham United, where he joined the youth academy in 1997.

Carrick stayed at West Ham until the summer of 2004, when he was brought to Spurs for €4 million, where he met goalkeeper Radek Cerny and David Limbersky.

But the great performances of the two-footed midfielder caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was looking for a replacement for Roy Keane. Carrick was the Red Devils’ only big transfer at the time, when they sent €27 million to London for him.

And that it was a slam dunk was clear in the first season, in which Carrick ran 52 games, in which he scored 6 goals, 4 assists and for his position world wonder only 4 yellow cards.

The holder of 5 Premier League wins, like Sergio Busquets, you didn’t see much of him in games. Carrick was a very intelligent footballer with great kicking technique, a gentleman to boot. His exceptionalism was especially appreciated by the opposition’s attacking players, who came up against the impenetrable trio of Ferdinand – Vidic – Carrick in midfield.

The now 40-year-old Manchester United legend was the last top defensive midfielder at Old Trafford who proved it on the pitch and it is this type of player that the Red Devils miss so much!

The start of a new era at Old Trafford

Carrick settled into the Manchester United management team after retiring in the summer of 2018, having first worked as an assistant to José Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After their sacking, he took over the team of his heart for 3 games, which he handled with bravado.

A win over Villarreal, a draw with Chelsea and a really stylish farewell to Old Trafford as his charges beat Arsenal 3-2. Immediately afterwards he announced his departure, which shocked many, but his decision is quite understandable now that he can be expected to embark on a coaching career as well.

However, it is perhaps a great pity that he didn’t stay at Manchester United as the new coach, Ralf Rangnick, is a great man whose philosophy has been “born out of” Thomas Tuchel or Jürgen Klopp. He could learn a lot under him and maybe Carrick is the one who could finally stabilise the Red Devils’ performance.

Like Solskjaer, Carrick has done a lot for Manchester United and perhaps all the fans of this club believe that we will see him back at Old Trafford once more.

Source: Transfermarkt, Manchester United