Manchester United player profile - Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick, Manchester United and England midfielder, was born on 28th July 1981 in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. Michael Carrick grew up with football, starting from the age of five when he played five-a-side with the Wallsend Boys Club, in future years he was selected for the Wallsend schools, the North Tyneside schools and the England schoolboys. Michael Carrick's ability didn't go unnoticed by the professional clubs, many of whom showed an interest in the youngster, and it was West Ham United that sealed his first professional contract in 1998. He enjoyed a successful time with the youth academy at the east London club before making his senior debut in August 1999, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Bradford City.

In his first season (1999/00) Michael Carrick was loaned for a few months to Swindon Town and Birmingham City. His first full season for West Ham United came in 2000/01 when his impressive performances led to his first senior England cap in May 2001, as a substitute in a friendly against Mexico, and nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year. During the 2001/02 season Michael Carrick found himself on the injury list for much of the time, then he spent 2002/03 playing in the Championship as a result of West Ham's relegation, and then he was transferred to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004.

Michael Carrick's move to Tottenham Hotspur proved to be a very shrewd one as the club's investment in new players and management led to a turn around in their fortunes, and two very successful seasons for Michael Carrick himself. It was in May 2005, while with the North London side, that Michael Carrick received his first call up to the senior England squad since 2001 and his first start. A year later England manager Sven Goran Eriksson named Michael Carrick in the England squad for the Germany 2006 World Cup finals. Following England's unsuccessful World Cup campaign Michael Carrick returned to England amid much speculation about his future and it wasn't long before he was unveiled as a Manchester United player in a deal agreed at the end of July 2006, beleived to be worth around £14 million.

Michael Carrick made his competitive Manchester United debut as a substitute on 23rd August 2006 in a match they won 3-0 against Charlton Athletic, his first goal came against Aston Villa the following January. Michael Carrick went on to win his first major trophy, the English Premiership, in this debut season (2006/07) with Manchester United and added to this the following season when the club achieved the 'double' winning the 2008 Premier League and UEFA Champions League.