Speaking at St George’s Park as he seeks to complete his coaching Pro Licence, and fully mark a new step in
his career, Carrick isn’t surprised Rooney is still going as a player.
“It is nice to see him back playing well,” the former United midfielder says. “He has had a spell away. In
some ways you wouldn't expect him to come back and play back in England again. That was his retirement
plan, going over there but it is nice to see him back and playing well again.
“He is playing a bit deeper. We played together in the FA Cup final in that position, when we won it last [in
2016]. He was going down that route, then he went back up front again. He can adapt. He has the quality to
adapt, whether he plays as a striker or midfielder, he played that at United at times. I am not surprised he
has gone to that stage now and is doing well.”
One of the reasons that Carrick didn’t pursue that route, though, was because of the relentless standards of
United. He didn’t fancy making the drop down, or trying to adjust - especially after the wear and tear of so
long at the top. Once he couldn't do it at the top, he didn't want to do it at all.
“No, I didn't to be honest. Different pathways. It wasn't planned. I just wanted to stay at United and play as
long as I could. It got towards the end, I realised that was me. I can see why some lads want to play on,
regardless of where it is but it just wasn't for me. I had had enough of playing by the end.
“It had just run its course. My career was done and I was happy with it. I can long back and be proud of it
but I have moved on. A bit of physical pain, the old Achilles doesn't swell up like it used to. Mentally I was
fine. Going straight into the job at United. The routine is still there, if not more. There was plenty for my
mind to keep ticking over with, so that helped me an awful lot.
“I think when you know that you are not quite at it and you cannot quite do physically what you think you
should be able to do. You can picture it in your mind and see what you want to do, but... I had a couple of
issues with calf injuries towards the end and heart problems as well and it was natural it was the end of my
career. Mentally, it was easier to deal with.
“I think it is easy to take for granted how fit you are athletically. My last season [2017-18] I played against
Huddersfield in the FA Cup and I had not played for a little bit and realised I was half a yard off here and
there. I knew that was me done.”
It is that half a yard that so often made a difference at United. And Carrick had to get up to speed quite
quickly on joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006.
“It was a big jump even then. It hit home pretty much straight away. Training was one. Then my first match
was Watford away and we won 2-1. I was thinking it was a good away win, but then the boss came in and
went absolutely mental. I remember thinking, 'this is different!'
“He had a go at [Ryan] Giggs. Giggsy had scored but he had had a go at Giggs, but Giggs was the only one
that would have a go back at him.
“Sir Alex went back at him for 10 minutes. All the time, I am thinking, 'this is a team that’s won 10 points
away from home – at Tottenham they would have snapped your hands off!'