It's official, Michael Carrick has been unveiled as Manchester United's big name signing of the summer. Not as popular as perhaps Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or even Michael Ballack, this is a player who has vast experience having won a cap for England at the age of 20. Fast, decisive and tough tackling, Carrick was the ideal player Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping for, having missed out on Michael Ballack to Chelsea, and Michael Essien the season before that. Ironic they all have "Michael" as
their first names.
The signing of this courageous holding midfielder was never easy though, as Man U has a 10 million pound offer rejected initially. With a hefty asking price of 17 million pounds, Man Utd had to sell to get their man. The player sacrificed was Dutch forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was sold to Real Madrid for 10 million pounds. Quite a deal for Man Utd as he was already 30 years old.
It wasn't over though. According to reports, Michael Carrick had refused to sign a new contract with the North Londeners and prompted Spurs to sell the former West Ham United trainee before leaving on a free transfer. Finally, a deal was proposed and accepted by both sides. Although the fee was undisclosed, it is believed the fee was in the region of 14 million pounds. Michael Carrick is now officially a Manchester United player!!

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Name: Michael Carrick
Date of birth: 28 July 1981
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Manchester United (ENG)
Former Clubs: West Ham United (ENG), Tottenham
First Int'l Cap: England v. Mexico (25-May-2001)
Int'l Caps: 7 (as of 1-Jul-2006)