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Born in Wallsend, near Newcastle Upon Tyne, Michael Carrick began his football career at the famous Wallsend Boys Club – a club that produced the likes of Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley. He had barely completed his GCSEs in 1997 when he was the target of many top flight clubs in England. The young Geordie decided to head south to West Ham's renowned youth academy in 1998 and became an integral part of the team that won the 1999 FA Youth Cup final alongside Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole.
He made his senior debut as a substitute replacing Rio in a 3-0 win at Bradford City in August 1999. In 1999-2000 Carrick was loaned out to Swindon Town and then the following season loaned to Birmingham City. In season 2000/01 he was back with the East London club and his performances earned him a PFA Young Player of the Season nomination.
Carrick had established himself as a regular in the Hammers' midfield and had also now caught the eye of England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson who capped him in a friendly with Mexico in May 2001.
The midfielder spent much of 2002-03 sidelined with injury and West Ham were relegated at the end of the season.
Carrick stayed loyal to the Hammers during their first season back in Division One. However they narrowly missed out on promotion in the play-off final and Carrick decided the time was right to move back up to the Premiership.
After initial interest from Arsenal and Portsmouth, it was Tottenham Hotspur that eventually signed Carrick for £2.75m in 2004. At White Hart Lane he excelled with many fine performances for Spurs as the club chased Champions League qualification.
Michael was named in England's squad for the 2006 World Cup and was generally thought to be one of the best performers in the second round 1-0 win over Ecuador. On the eve of England's first group game against Paraguay, Manchester United had already put in a £10m bid which was later rejected. Over a month later, a second bid of £14 million (rising to £18.6m depending on appearances and team success) was accepted by Spurs. On July 31st 2006 Carrick passed a medical and agreed personal terms with United.
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If he eventually costs the £18.6 million he will be the fifth most expensive Manchester United player in the club's history. Sir Alex wasted no time in giving Carrick the famous number 16 shirt for United, previously worn by former captain Roy Keane.
Carrick has been described as a classy and composed midfielder with a good sense of positioning and a calm composure when in possession. A steady rather than spectacular player, he is capable of both a holding or forward role. He's often praised for having excellent passing distribution, be it the range of passes or in terms of variation. Frank Lampard Snr said of him "The main thing that struck me about him was he always looked like he had time on the ball. That might not sound like much, but it's something only a few players have."
"Michael was used mainly as a holding midfielder at Spurs but I expect Sir Alex to ask him to show more and become more of an all-round player.
"He might be asked to get forward more and score goals, or become more of a ball winner. Having worked closely with him, I know he's capable of doing that." Sir Alex said of his new arrival: "Roy was a possession player, a straightforward A to B passer," he explained. "Michael is a far more imaginative passer of the ball."
In his first year at Old Trafford, Carrick was a steady precence in the midfield and formed a fine partnership with Paul Scholes. Critics believed United had paid far too much money for the midfielder but the winning of the Premiership title has vindicated his addition to the team.
He scored his first United goal in a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa in January and in April scored two long-range beauties against Roma in United's 7-1 Champions League Quarter-final win at Old Trafford. Carrick also bagged goals against Blackburn, Sheffield United and Reading meaning all of his goals have come at Old Trafford.
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