Hailed as the "complete player" by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández, Michael Carrick has continued to control Manchester United's midfield beyond his 35th birthday.
Hailed as the "complete player" by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández, Michael Carrick has continued to control Manchester United's midfield beyond his 35th birthday.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The cultured deep-lying playmaker began his career at West Ham United, winning the 1998-99 FA Youth Cup and establishing himself in the first team the next season.
The cultured deep-lying playmaker began his career at West Ham United, winning the 1998-99 FA Youth Cup and establishing himself in the first team the next season.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A move to Tottenham Hotspur followed, where Carrick played an influential part in Martin Jol's midfield.
A move to Tottenham Hotspur followed, where Carrick played an influential part in Martin Jol's midfield.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
But after two seasons at White Hart Lane, Carrick was lured to United by Sir Alex Ferguson, taking former captain Roy Keane's iconic number 16 shirt.
But after two seasons at White Hart Lane, Carrick was lured to United by Sir Alex Ferguson, taking former captain Roy Keane's iconic number 16 shirt.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Then the sixth most expensive player in the club's history, Carrick has gone on to make over 440 appearances for the Red Devils, playing alongside and against the biggest names in the world.
Then the sixth most expensive player in the club's history, Carrick has gone on to make over 440 appearances for the Red Devils, playing alongside and against the biggest names in the world.
LLUIS GENE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The 35-year-old looks back on the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final as the highlight of his storied career, telling CNN it was a feeling he "could never ever replicate."
The 35-year-old looks back on the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final as the highlight of his storied career, telling CNN it was a feeling he "could never ever replicate."
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Carrick played the entire 120 minutes and beat Petr Cech in the ensuing penalty shootout, going on to lift United's third European Cup and first since 1999.
Carrick played the entire 120 minutes and beat Petr Cech in the ensuing penalty shootout, going on to lift United's third European Cup and first since 1999.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
"I wouldn't quite get that same feeling, even if I won the Champions League again," says Carrick. "It was just unbelievable."
"I wouldn't quite get that same feeling, even if I won the Champions League again," says Carrick. "It was just unbelievable."
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Many players including former United teammate Carlos Tevez have been lured by<a href="https://www.trupilariante.com/2017/02/01/football/china-european-transfer-deadline-day-football/"> the riches of the Chinese Super League.</a> And while Carrick has always had his feet on the ground, he acknowledges it's something players are increasingly talking about in the dressing room, admitting "it's made a huge impact."
Many players including former United teammate Carlos Tevez have been lured by the riches of the Chinese Super League. And while Carrick has always had his feet on the ground, he acknowledges it's something players are increasingly talking about in the dressing room, admitting "it's made a huge impact."
Hamish Blair/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Carrick's former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is another playing a key part in China's football revolution. "I think managers throughout the game have all commented that it's starting to become a threat because of what it brings," says Carrick. "It's just the nature of the world going forward. Football's changing. Who knows what it's going to bring in the years to come?"
Carrick's former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is another playing a key part in China's football revolution. "I think managers throughout the game have all commented that it's starting to become a threat because of what it brings," says Carrick. "It's just the nature of the world going forward. Football's changing. Who knows what it's going to bring in the years to come?"
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
United captain Wayne Rooney is the latest to be linked to the Chinese Premier League. Carrick says it was "a major boost" his teammate chose to stay, calling him a "legend for the club, no matter what happens from now on in."
United captain Wayne Rooney is the latest to be linked to the Chinese Premier League. Carrick says it was "a major boost" his teammate chose to stay, calling him a "legend for the club, no matter what happens from now on in."
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images