After a transfer from Spurs to United for a (then) baulked at £18million, Michael Carrick is maturing into one of English football's most sophisticated passing midfielders
Eyebrows were raised at the £18.6m Sir Alex Ferguson forked out for Michael Carrick in summer 2006, but the Geordie silenced the doubters with a series of classy showings.
He started his career with West Ham, spending six great years at Upton Park, with loan spells at Swindon and Birmingham, before crossing London to Spurs in 2004. His fine form for Martin Jol’s men soon caught Ferguson’s attention.
His excellent passing and midfield understanding with Paul Scholes have established him in the first eleven, despite Owen Hargreaves’ arrival.
In May 2008 he signed a deal to keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.