Michael Carrick has given a revealing insight into the conversation Sir Alex Ferguson had with his Manchester United players before announcing his retirement from management.
In May 2013, Ferguson officially retired from management and ended his 26 years at Old Trafford, however it was a decision that had been made privately in December 2012.
He wanted to spend more time with his wife Cathy following the loss of her twin sister Bridget but the news of his impending retirement was somehow leaked before he could officially announce it.
That meant that he was forced to tell the players ahead of schedule and Carrick has lifted the lid on Ferguson’s reaction to breaking the news.
‘I took in every detail. The boss began speaking and became quite emotional,’ Carrick wrote in his new autobiography Between the Lines. “Look, boys, I didn’t want to do it this way. I wanted you to be the first to know. I’m really disappointed how it’s come out.
“I really did want to be telling you first, but I’ve been forced to tell you now because it’s come out last night. Someone’s leaked it. He was fuming about that. There couldn’t have been many people who knew.
‘Sir Alex went on, “Look, boys, this is not something I’ve taken lightly.”
‘He mentioned Lady Cathy’s sister passing away. “I feel that I owe it to my wife to be with her and look after her. It’s been unbelievable and thanks for everything, I’ve loved every minute. I don’t really want to go, but I’ve got to take this decision.”
‘You could see it was hard for him to finally say, ‘This is it, boys.’”
Carrick represents one of English football’s most intriguing talents. Mild-mannered and well-behaved off the pitch, the former Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham midfielder was a calming influence on it. While Carrick might have lacked the box-to-box dynamism and goal-scoring gusto of a Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard, his metronomic passing and intelligent sense of tempo are the reasons his personal major trophy haul eclipses those of 13 out of 20 current Premier League clubs.
Five top-flight titles, an FA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cups feature on a calling card that few can match. But asked to address the baffling underrated or overrated debate which has stemmed from a career that is so objectively successful, he won’t be drawn. Does Carrick think he was a world-class player? “It’s not for me to say, like. I’m proud of my career when I look back on it and I’ve not got any regrets. That’s enough for me.”