Michael Carrick exclusive: Four titles, three Champions League finals - so why should I care if people don't rate me?
Posted Friday, May 27, 2011 by
The only trophies paraded at Old Trafford in the three seasons before Michael Carrick arrived were the FA and Carling Cups.
In the five years since, Manchester United have won the Premier League four times and reached the final of the Champions League on three occasions.
It may seem perverse then to begin with questions about whether he has the credentials to even be at United.
Carrick exudes a practiced indifference as he quietly wonders what he must do to win over his many detractors.
“When people have said I’ve not been good enough for United’s midfield, then yeah, sometimes I do wonder what is good enough for them,” he confesses with a shy smile.
“I’ve had a fantastic time here after winning four titles in five years and three Champions League finals, and of course I’m maybe frustrated at times, because it’s winning trophies that sets teams and players apart, and we’ve done that.
“But then I can catch myself and say, ‘Why the hell are you worrying about it?’ It’s there for people to see, and if they can’t, so what?
“You hope that people realise you must be doing something right to achieve what we have competing against the best teams in the world, but if not, then does that matter? The only thing that matters in the next trophy.”
It does matter though, doesn’t it?
Carrick has been so long overlooked, by his own fans and his own country, it is beginning to seem a bit personal.
Here is a midfielder of quality who is revered on the continent by the likes of Spanish World Cup winners Xabi Alonso and Xavi, but often dismissed within his own country as lightweight and peripheral.
That can’t be true, of course, not if Alex Ferguson continues to pick you for every big game after five years and offers you a new long term contract at the age of 29.
Surely, his record elevates him towards the ranks of Keane and Robson at Old Trafford?
Alonso says he was bemused, when he played in the Premier League, by England’s eternal search for a skilful, ball-playing, possession-keeping midfielder when they always had one under their noses in Carrick.
And the stats back him up.
He is the best English midfielder in terms of possession and pass completion, and his performances in guiding United to Saturday’s final show just how influential he can be. Also, has anyone seen a better performance than his master-class in orchestration in the title-clinching victory over Chelsea?
So why the brick-bats?
Carrick himself has an idea, because his reputation took a dive after the Champions’ League final defeat to Barcelona two years ago, as Xavi and Andres Iniesta ruled the midfield.
With the Spanish giants in London for the rematch, where better to restore that reputation?
He shrugs and smiles again, because selfish personal motivations are not exactly encouraged within Old Trafford’s powerful team ethic.
“Yeah, maybe some of the criticism aimed at me stems from that night against Barca when the things we tried didn’t come off, and it’s good to get the chance against them again,” he says mildly.
“But to be honest, I’m not bothered about the chance of revenge or proving anything, it’s a more simple motivation than that. It’s about the chance to play on the stage again, against the biggest sides and the chance to get your hands on the trophy.
“What happened in the past has happened, you can’t change it. But one thing - you don’t want to go through that feeling again. Ever. What is inside all of us in this squad, is we want to get our hands the trophy taste that moment at the end.”
It is an honourable ambition, and one consistent with a player who is prepared to sacrifice personal acclaim in the wider cause of his team. But can they really beat Barcelona?
“We are not the first team Barcelona have beaten. But to lose like that on a stage like that, it was devastating, so I can understand why people think we can’t,” Carrick admits.
“We didn’t play well, things didn’t work that night, and you know you can’t do that against Barcelona, it’s that simple.
“But there’s no issue, no fear. We have beaten them before, we’ve proved we can beat them. On the biggest stage that night, it didn’t work, but we know where it didn’t work, and there is no block.”
If United do win, then perhaps it will not only be Carrick who once and for silences the debate surrounding his qualities. As a team United too have the chance to prove they are better than people suggest.
Despite winning the title by nine points and reaching the European final once more - and even winning the semi with their reserves - the general consensus is this is not a vintage Old Trafford side.
Beating the apparently invincible Barca would forever alter that perception, but again, Carrick insists he or his team-mates can’t be influenced by the need to prove themselves.
“People say so many different things if you listened to it all then it would drive you mad, and be too distracting,” he explains.
“We know ourselves where we are. We know at times we haven’t played well and our away form hasn’t been great, but then we have always been confident come the end of the season we’d be there challenging, because we knew where we were at.
“That’s proved to be the case, so we were right to trust our own judgement. That comes from within. Of course you hear some of the criticism, but we have experience and guidance within the club to tell us when we’re doing something wrong, so we can rely on that and have no need to worry about outside influences.
“I know myself, I’m happy with the job I’m doing, and if people are not singing my praises then I don’t worry about it, because we are reaching our goals, and that is the only important thing.
“Our success will set us apart in the end, so let’s hope it continues!” It is a sentiment that will be shared by millions of United fans worldwide this weekend.
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CARRICK'S MANCHESTER UNITED HIGHS AND LOWS
High. July 21 2006: Signs for £14million, with the potential to rise to £18.6m. Given the No.16 shirt
High. January 13 2007: Scores first goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa
High. May 6 2007: United win Premier League title
Low. October 2 2007: Breaks elbow in Champions League against Roma. Out for six weeks
High. May 11 2008: Picks up another Premier League winner’s medal after final day victory at Wigan
High. May 18 2008: Signs new four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2012
High. May 21 2008: Plays all 120 minutes of Champions League Final victory over Chelsea. Scores in the penalty shoot-out
Low. September 16 2008: Out for six weeks with a broken bone in his foot
High. May 18 2009: Wins a third consecutive Premier League title
Low. May 27 2009: Suffers ‘worst defeat’ of his career as United lose 2-0 to Barcelona in the Champions League Final
Low. February 16 2010: Sent off for the first time in his career in 3-2 win over AC Milan
High. February 28 2010: Plays full game as United beat Aston Villa 2-1 in League Cup Final
Low. May 9 2010: Lose out to Chelsea on final day of the season, as the Blues
win Premier League
High. March 3 2011: Signs new three-year deal keeping at the club until 2014
High. May 14 2011: Wins Premier League for a fourth time
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