No club v country conflict for United's Michael Carrick

NOT A CAR IN THE WORLD ... Carrick insists he has not had to choose between United and England

MICHAEL CARRICK insists Alex Ferguson has never told him to pull out of an England squad.

The Manchester United boss’ role in Rio Ferdinand’s withdrawal from Roy Hodgson’s squad last month has come under scrutiny.

It was claimed Fergie put pressure on the defender to pull out to save him for United’s title push.

But Carrick said: “I have never had anything from the manager saying pull yourself out or anything in that manner because it’s not in his nature. We have got players who travel the world to play international football.

“If you have got the best players, or the better players, then international football is part of it. I don’t see a club v country row.”

Carrick was largely overlooked by Fabio Capello during his stint as England boss.

He added: “I’d have loved to have had more caps but what’s gone has gone.

“You can’t look back too much.”