Birthdate: 28 Jul 1981

Birthplace: Wallsend, North Shields

Position: Midfielder

Joined United: 31 Aug 2006

United Debut: 23 Aug 2006 v Charlton (A)

International : England

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With outstanding vision, quick feet and a broad-ranging repertoire of passes, Michael Carrick proved in his first season at United to be an ideal partner for Paul Scholes, albeit a very different one to the previous number 16, Roy Keane.

Contrary to the usual central midfield blend of crafter and grafter, Carrick and Scholes' playmaking talents were key to the free-flowing football which won a ninth Premiership title for United.

It was the first major honour of Carrick’s professional career, although he did win the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1999, scoring twice in the 9-0 final demolition of Coventry City.

West Ham loaned Carrick out to Swindon in 1999/2000 and then Birmingham in 2000/01 when he earned a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year, eventually won by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Carrick spent much of the 2002/03 season sidelined with injury. West Ham were relegated at the end of it but rather than join Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe in an exodus, Carrick stayed for a season in the Championship. However, after losing the 2004 play-off final to Crystal Palace, Carrick decided he couldn't wait another year for a return to the Premiership and moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer worth £2.75million.

He blossomed into an accomplished midfielder in two seasons at White Hart Lane. However, he only scored two goals in 64 games and it seemed this low strike-rate would continue at United, at least for the first few months following his £14million transfer (this fee could eventually rise to £18.6million).

Encouraged by Sir Alex Ferguson to push forward, Carrick eventually weighed in with six strikes from midfield in 2006/07. His first was a well-taken half-volley against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 13 January 2007; his second, at home to Reading in the FA Cup, was shortlisted for the club's Goal of the Season award (won by Scholes away to Villa). His other goals included two against Roma in the fairytale 7-1 win.

Carrick's role in a title-winning midfield should help his international ambitions, as he competes with Owen Hargreaves, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard for a place in England's starting XI. He's been there and done it at the highest level, earning praise for his holding role against Ecuador during the 2006 World Cup.

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