Less than two days on from the biggest night of his season, Michael Carrick was back in the real world. Monday night saw Carrick and Manchester United clinch the Barclays Premier League title — his fifth in seven seasons — but Wednesday found the Old Trafford midfielder six miles or so away at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.
Carrick was there with Stephanie Moore, the widow of late England captain Bobby, who died from bowel cancer 20 years ago.
‘Stephanie was telling me Bobby never had a medical in his whole career,’ said Carrick. ‘That’s amazing isn’t it? The extent we are checked out now is incredible. We are monitored in every way. We are very lucky.’
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Back to the real world: Michael Carrick (left) won the league on Monday night then went to the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research on Wednesday
Visit: Michael Carrick and Stephanie Moore at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research
Stephanie's story
Click here to find out more about the fund
The Bobby Moore Fund is one of three charities to benefit from the England Footballers Foundation in the run up to next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Carrick and Mrs Moore were in South Manchester this week to see the latest research carried out by the Institute.
‘Just speaking to these people, its mind boggling,’ said a clearly moved Carrick. ‘I have had family members go through treatments but I have never come to a place like this. It opens your eyes. Stephanie was talking to me about how important early detection is. It could have saved Bobby. We are constantly told [at United] that if there is anything not right then don’t be afraid to ask about it. Go to the doc. It’s good to come here.
‘There is more to life than football. Some people would argue otherwise but I wouldn’t.’
Icons: Carrick is inspired by images of Bobby Moore and Pele's (below, centre) World Cup successes
Pele (centre) celebrates after winning the World Cup
Incredible: Stephanie told Michael that Moore never had a medical in his whole career
It is pertinent that we should have talked about Bobby Moore this week. The former England captain’s career was defined by winning a World Cup. Carrick is still waiting to make a long-term impression.
‘The images of Bobby and Pele in Mexico and lifting the World Cup at Wembley are iconic images that you don’t forget,’ he said. ‘They make you proud. You just hope that one day England can do that again and that one day you can be part of it.’
At 31, Carrick has more League titles than Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have between them but less England caps. Currently, he has 27 but hopes to be part of a decent England side in Brazil next summer.
‘A World Cup in Brazil has that special ring to it doesn’t it?’ he said. ‘I just want to get there. This is just an opportunity to do something special.
‘The one World Cup game I have played in [a 1-0 win over Ecuador in 2006] is one of my most special moments so that sums it up.’
Carrick’s reputation within football has always been that of a talented but grounded footballer.
‘There are so many people supporting you with England, that on its own makes it important,’ he added. ‘I know what it’s like to be on the other side of it. The first one I remember is 1990. I was nine.
‘I watched the semi-final at home on the sofa. I no doubt cried when we lost. Euro ‘96 was the same. The way the country reacted was amazing. Only football can do that to a country. That is what we crave isn’t it?
Way back when: Carrick remembers watching England at World Cup 1990 in Italy
'Everyone is so desperate for the team to do well. Maybe that desperation goes over the top at times but I understand it. Now we just have to perform and hopefully I can do my bit.’
In the hurly-burley of a Premier League midfield, Carrick is a serene presence. There are few better sights in the game than a footballer passing the ball properly and this is what he does.
Schooled at the Wallsend Boys Club and then at West Ham’s youth academy, Carrick now creates the tempo, rhythm and angles of Manchester United’s football.
Team-mate Rio Ferdinand called Carrick’s pass for a Javier Hernandez goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup last month ‘the ball of the season from the most under-rated player in the country’. Former United midfielder Bryan Robson said Carrick ‘now plays more killer passes’ while West Ham Youth Director Tony Carr said Carrick was ‘always aware of the next pass’.
So what does Carrick think? What is the first thought in his head when he receives a football?
‘I try to play the ball forwards as quickly as possible,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t have to be 50 or 60 yards. It may only be 10 yards. But I want it to be forwards. A 10-yard pass may take two of their midfielders out of the game. So it’s effective. I always have in my mind the desire to keep the flow of service going to those ahead of me.
‘The pass Rio mentioned came off perfect. I’ve probably played so many of those this season that haven’t. For Rio to say that is nice. Whether he has a point or not, it’s hard to say.’
Always had it: Carrick's eye for a pass was noted back in his West Ham days
Ferdinand, of course, does have a point. Those killer passes can make you look bad when they don’t work, though, can’t they?
‘Oh yeah,’ he smiled. ‘It is the hardest pass, that one. You are going to give it away sometimes. But maybe the next one will come off. That’s the risk. Maybe if you lose the ball two or three times on the bounce you start to wonder but when the next one comes off and you create a chance then that’s what it’s all about for me.The more risky passes you make, you just have to have that stronger mentality to believe. That comes with age. But this is the my main job in a game, the thing I am trying to do the most. If I come off thinking I have given a good service to what I call our important players then my job is done.’
Carrick is actually the footballer who could have had the perfect Premier League record at United. Since signing from Tottenham in 2006, he has won five titles and lost the other two on goal difference in 2012, and by a single point in 2010.
It’s impressive but Carrick has that United gene, the one that teaches you to remember the disappointments.
‘Five [titles] doesn’t look so good next to Giggsy but obviously I’m proud of it,’ he smiled. ‘You never forget the disappointments, no.
Racking them up: Ryan Giggs (left) has won 13 titles with United
‘In some ways that is what drives you on. Last season we lost it to City and all we could do was try and win the next one. I am proud of the lads for the way that we responded because I don’t think too many teams could have.’
All players at top clubs want to win trophies, of course. United are not unique in that. They are, though, an example of how success breeds hunger rather than satisfaction. ‘Before I got my first, one League title would have been everything,’ said Carrick. ‘But as soon as I won the first one I just wanted the next one. Now I have five but it’s the next one that’s important. You don’t want to give it up.’
Rivals City have suffered at United’s hands this season. Their defence of last season’s title lasted just 34 games. United’s response — it now transpires — began on the way home from Sunderland on the final day of last season when Sir Alex Ferguson stood on the team bus and told his players to remember what regret felt like.
Top management: Sir Alex Ferguson has inspired United to success after success
‘It is probably what spurred us on straight away,’ nodded Carrick. ‘He knows what to say and when to say it. He presses the right buttons.
‘That was probably more for the younger boys, the likes of Welbz (Danny Welbeck), Clevs (Tom Cleverley) and Jonesy (Phil Jones), those who hadn’t done it before.
‘It let them know this was the feeling of defeat, a feeling you never want again. To get this one done early is great. I have never won it this early and it is a great relief.
‘You definitely don’t realise the pressure until it lifts. The focus that you feel all season just intensifies as you get nearer the end and it’s there, everywhere you go.
‘Once you have done it, you just take a deep breath.’
VIDEO: Michael Carrick visits the institute
Michael Carrick visits the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research
Michael Carrick was giving his ‘Extra Time for England’ on behalf of the England Footballers Foundation. To find out more about the work of the Foundation and their chosen charity partners, including the Bobby Moore Fund, go to: www.englandfootballersfoundation.com