Michael Carrick is flavour of the month in the footballing world, but the Manchester United maestro believes he has been at the top of his game for a long time.
Nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award and hand-picked by Alex Ferguson as one of his four favourites for a United gong, Carrick has had a season to remember.
But the midfielder – who is happy to keep working away from the spotlight – admits he is baffled why people are suddenly starting to talk about him now.
“It makes me laugh sometimes with the things I read and comments I hear,” he told manutd.com.
“Perhaps a few more figures in football have said nice things about my game and then people jump on that. But I’ve been happy with my form for a while now.
“It shows you’re doing your job right and in that sense you have to enjoy it and take satisfaction from it.
“It’s good if you’re playing well in a successful team, that’s what any player wants. But attention isn’t something I crave or need.”
Carrick is now at the end of his seventh season at the Red Devils, in which time the midfielder has collected 12 trophies – including five Premier Leagues.
The 31-year-old is not one to rest on his laurels, however, as he concedes the world-class competition at Old Trafford keeps him on his toes.
“I feel like I’ve improved all the time I’ve been at United,” he added. “You’re always going to have better spells than others.
“But as time has gone on I have improved as a player and I’m still looking to improve even now. You have to here.”
Image courtesy of Talksport, via YouTube, with thanks,
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