Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he always expected Michael Carrick to make it as a professional footballer, from the moment the midfielder uprooted to London as a 16-year-old.
The legendary former Reds manager will be reunited with the player he signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006 when he takes charge of the Manchester United 2008 XI in Carrick's testimonial match at Old Trafford on Sunday 4 June.
Carrick spent his formative years at the famous Wallsend Boys’ Club in his home city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before making the decision to join West Ham United in 1997, and it was that life-changing switch that later convinced Sir Alex he had the attitude to succeed at United.