Exclusive Interview with Michael Carrick - MUTV
How did you feel when the manager handed you the number 16 shirt?
Fine, to be honest it doesn’t really make any difference what number I had. Obviously in the past Roy Keane’s had that number and he’s been a legend for the club, but numbers don’t mean a great deal to me. It’s a matter of going out and playing my own game. There was a lot of hype about it but it doesn’t make any difference.
Did you have many battles with Keano on the pitch?
I had a few good games against him, and I had a few bad games as well when we got turned over a few times. He’s one of the greats of the game and he’s always going to be remembered but I’m not going to be thinking about him, I’m going to be playing my own gamen and do my thing the best I can.
The success of players like Keane and Robson proves that you can become a legend here playing that position…
That was a big thing that attracted me to the club. The gaffer’s had these world class players but maybe before they were here they weren’t as big, they’ve come to this club developed into fantastic players and achieved massive things. If I can do some of what they’ve achieved, I’ll be happy.
Like United legend Steve Bruce you’re another player who started out at Wallsend Boys’ Club, what’s the secret of that place?
I dunno, it’s one of those funny things. There have been lots of players who’ve made it from there, but it’s hard to sum up. It’s the spirit of the place, the discipline it teaches you, the standard of football, the coaches, everything. My dad is vice-chairman at the moment and it’s just a great thing for kids to have. When I was young nearly everyone at our school was playing at the boys’ club and it’s just part of the whole community.
Does it put any added pressure on you as a kid, knowing so many great players have come out of there in the past?
Not at all, I don’t think it’s even about becoming a professional footballer, first of all it’s a place to hang out and have a laugh with your mates. There’s no pressure to make it big at all, it’s just somewhere to go and have a good time, and playing football involves just that, especially in the North-East.
You came through the ranks at West Ham with players like Joe Cole, have you looked at his success in the Premiership with Chelsea and thought, I want to emulate that?
Of course. I’m pleased for Joe, he’s gone on to great things but I want to win things too. He’s not my inspiration though because that’s always been my ambition in the game. When you see someone you grew up with do so well you’re chuffed to bit for them, but now I’m challenging him a bit more it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top! I’ve got a burning ambtion to win the league, it’s something I’ve always dreamt of. To win the cups is great, but to win the league is a special thing and hopefully we can do that.
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