Michael Carrick is a somewhat understated legend of the Premier League. He played for an all-conquering Manchester United team, pocketing trophies left, right, and centre, but few would list him alongside his former teammates, such as Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard. That is in spite of his importance to Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the most celebrated managers and eyes for talent of all time.
For England, he was always going to struggle to get recognition. He came through at a time when the national team’s midfield was packed with stars. The aforementioned Lampard and Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and even David Beckham were the main draws. Then you had the likes of Joe Cole, Gareth Barry, and James Milner around the side.
However, the Geordie lad may be able to influence the England national team and boost their World Cup dreams more than he ever could with his 36 caps. As Manchester United manager, he just might be galvanising a core of players that could drive the nation to glory and even end 60 years of hurt in the process.
England Will be Among the World Cup Favourites Once Again
It has been something of a running joke that England – or at least the English press thinks – are a perennial favourite at major tournaments, despite only ever winning one. Given that their one World Cup triumph was in 1966, before Germany was unified, it beggars belief that there is disappointment when the Three Lions are turfed out of yet another competition.
However, after a period of sustained growth under Gareth Southgate – another fine player who was perhaps overshadowed for England by a golden generation in defence – England are a force to be reckoned with. Following two successive Euros finals and one World Cup semi in the last four tournaments, they are the second favourites in the World Cup odds at 5.6/1.
It suggests that this could finally be the year that the country takes home another World Cup, and Thomas Tuchel, who will be leading the nation in North America in the summer, will be thanking Carrick for helping bolster his squad by returning Manchester United to form.
A Manager Seemingly Made for Manchester United
Manchester United have been on a decline since Carrick was a midfielder for the club. Since the retirement of Ferguson and the appointment of David Moyes, the club has failed to win a Premier League title. They have well and truly fallen from their perch, and manager after manager has struggled to turn the sinking ship around.
Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim at the start of the year, it looked like there was little hope for the club, but the arrival of Michael Carrick appears to have been the shot in the arm that United needed. The former England international had been out of work since being relieved of his duties by Championship Middlesbrough, but their loss appears to have been the Red Devils’ gain.
He has welcomed Kobbie Mainoo back into the fold, who has been a revelation in midfield and is just the player that England were excited about in the Euros. He had been frozen out by Amorim, but now looks to be playing his way into contention for the World Cup squad, in a position that has frequently been an issue for the team in recent international windows.
Mainoo Not the Only Man Excelling Under Carrick at United
Kobbie Mainoo may be the standout star of Carrick’s side, given his acrimonious freezing out under the prior regime, but other names should not be overlooked for England. Harry Maguire has shown tremendous spirit in returning to the team and shining in defence, looking like the kind of player a club would sink £80 million on.
In itself, that would be a dream for England’s manager, as Maguire was a lynchpin of how they made it to the Euros 2020 final and the World Cup semis in 2018. However, even Mason Mount and Luke Shaw appear to be buoyed by the arrival of the former Boro boss, further reinforcing the positive effects on the national team.
England will face a tough test in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and it will likely be the star names of Harry Kane, Morgan Rogers, and Declan Rice that grab the headlines if they do go far, but it can not be overlooked that Michael Carrick’s influence on United could see Tuchel reap the rewards on the global stage.
