Michael Carrick Injury Update: What Happened to Michael Carrick?
by Aishwarya R | Updated Jul 27, 2023
Michael Carrick Injury Update
In the lead-up to Middlesbrough's new Championship campaign, manager Michael Carrick has provided an injury update on some key players. The right-back duo of Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel will be unavailable for the start of the season due to injuries sustained in recent friendlies. Carrick confirmed this in a conversation with the Northern Echo. Tommy Smith suffered an injury during a friendly against Real Betis, while Anfernee Dijksteel was on the receiving end of a poor tackle in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.
As a result, both players are set to miss the opening few weeks of the season. While the exact duration of their absence is not yet known, Carrick expects them to be out for a few weeks. The absence of these key defenders will undoubtedly be a disappointment for the team and the fans, given their importance in the squad. However, Carrick emphasized that setbacks and injuries are a part of football, and the team must deal with such challenges. He expressed confidence in the squad's depth and emphasized the need to adapt to the situation rather than making a big deal out of it.
Despite the absence of Smith and Dijksteel, Carrick indicated that he is not keen on signing an immediate replacement right-back. He appears hopeful that the defensive duo's absence will not be prolonged, making it unnecessary to bring in a new player at this stage.
In addition to the right-back pair, Carrick also provided an update on the situations of Chuba Akpom and Jonny Howson. Both players are still unavailable due to reasons that were not specified, and Carrick stated that the club will have to wait and see when they will be fit to rejoin the squad. As the new season approaches, it seems unlikely that either Akpom or Howson will be ready in time for Middlesbrough's opening game against Millwall.
Despite these injury concerns, Michael Carrick remains confident in the team's abilities and optimistic about the upcoming campaign. Having enjoyed instant success at the Riverside since his appointment, Carrick will be eager to build on that momentum and lead Middlesbrough to further achievements during his first full season in charge. The team will approach the start of the season with ambition and determination, even in the face of some key absences, as they aim to continue their progress in the Championship under Carrick's leadership.
Who is Michael Carrick?
Michael Carrick is an English professional football coach and former player, born on July 28, 1981. He is currently the head coach of Middlesbrough, a Championship club. Carrick is widely regarded as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, known for his illustrious 12-year playing career with Manchester United, where he also captained the team. As a player, Carrick primarily operated as a central midfielder, known for his exceptional passing ability. However, he also displayed versatility by filling in as an emergency centre-back when needed under the management of Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho.
Carrick's football journey began at West Ham United, where he joined the youth team in 1997. He quickly rose through the ranks and won the FA Youth Cup two years later. After loan spells at Swindon Town and Birmingham City during his debut season, he secured a regular place in West Ham's first team by the 2000-01 season. Carrick played a significant role for the club, making over 150 appearances before transferring to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 for a reported fee of £3.5 million.
At Tottenham, Carrick continued to impress and showcased his footballing abilities over two successful seasons. In 2006, he made a high-profile move to Manchester United for £14 million. From his debut onwards, Carrick became an integral part of the Manchester United first team, making more than 50 appearances in his first season with the club. He played a crucial role in their Premier League triumph in the 2006-07 season, helping the team secure their first title in four years. The following season, he played a key role in Manchester United's 2008 Champions League victory, where they won in a thrilling penalty shootout.
Throughout his career at Manchester United, Carrick won numerous major honors, including the Premier League title, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup. He is only one of two English players, alongside former teammate Wayne Rooney, to have achieved this feat. In addition to his club success, Carrick represented England at various levels, from under-18 to the senior squad. He made his England debut in 2001 and earned 34 caps during his international career, participating in two World Cup tournaments in 2006 and 2010.
Carrick's achievements on the field, as well as his footballing intelligence and leadership qualities, have earned him immense respect in the world of football. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and took on the role of head coach at Middlesbrough, aiming to continue his success in the sport from the touchline.
What Happened to Michael Carrick?
After retiring as a player, Michael Carrick transitioned into a coaching role at Manchester United. He was appointed as part of José Mourinho's coaching staff, along with Kieran McKenna, to fill the void left by former assistant manager Rui Faria. Carrick's experience and footballing intelligence made him a valuable addition to the coaching team. Following Mourinho's sacking in December 2018, Carrick briefly took on the role of acting caretaker manager before the appointment of another former United player, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, as the interim manager for the rest of the season. Solskjær retained Carrick as part of his coaching staff when he was appointed on a permanent basis in March 2019.
In November 2021, when Solskjær left his position as manager, Carrick was once again appointed as the caretaker manager. During his three-match reign as caretaker manager, he achieved two wins and one draw, including a memorable victory in the UEFA Champions League tie against Villareal. However, Carrick's time as caretaker manager was short-lived, as Ralf Rangnick was appointed as the interim manager, and Carrick subsequently stepped down as first-team coach, leaving Manchester United with immediate effect.
In October 2022, Carrick took on a new challenge as he was appointed as the head coach of Middlesbrough, a team competing in the EFL Championship. At the time of his appointment, Middlesbrough was facing challenges, positioned 21st in the EFL Championship and one point above the relegation zone. Under Carrick's guidance, Middlesbrough began to show signs of improvement, and in November 2022, he was nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award.
His impact on the team was further recognized when he won the Manager of the Month award for March 2023, with Middlesbrough securing ten points from four matches and scoring thirteen goals during that period. Michael Carrick's life after retirement as a player has seen him embrace coaching, where his football knowledge and leadership skills continue to shine. His journey from an accomplished player at Manchester United to a head coach at Middlesbrough reflects his dedication and passion for the sport, making a positive impact on the teams he serves.
Michael Carrick Early Life
Michael Carrick was born in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, to his parents Vince and Lynn Carrick. His passion for football began at a young age, as he got involved in the sport when he was just four years old. Growing up in Wallsend, he was a devoted fan of Newcastle United, and he enjoyed playing five-a-side football with Wallsend Boys Club on Saturday nights, thanks to his father's volunteer work at the club.
Carrick's football talent started to emerge at the age of nine when he had trials with several football clubs, including Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Chelsea. His skills and potential were recognized, and his football journey became more serious when he was selected to play for Burnside High School and later for North Tyneside Schools. As he continued to progress in his football career, Carrick's talent led him to play for Wallsend Boys' Club under-16s, where he earned a place on the England Boys' club side, representing his country at a young age.
Notably, at this time, he was even profiled by the BBC children's program Live & Kicking in 1995. During his school years and leading up to his move to West Ham United, Carrick initially played as a centre-forward. However, it was at West Ham that he transitioned to playing more frequently as a midfielder, a position where he would later excel in his professional career.
Carrick's education journey took him to Wallsend's Western Middle School and later to Burnside Community High School, where he completed his GCSE exams in 1997. From his early experiences playing football on the local fields to his eventual success as a highly accomplished midfielder, Michael Carrick's passion and talent for the sport have shaped his impressive footballing career.
Michael Carrick Marital Life
Michael Carrick and Lisa Roughead's beautiful love story culminated in their joyous wedding on June 16, 2007, in the picturesque town of Wymondham, Leicestershire. Lisa, a skilled Pilates instructor with a business degree, captured Michael's heart during their school days, and their love has only grown stronger with time. United by a deep bond, they have journeyed through life hand in hand, cherishing every moment together.
The couple's love and dedication have blossomed into a wonderful family, filling their hearts with pride as parents to their two precious children, daughter Louise and son Jacey. Their family life has become a cherished cornerstone of Michael Carrick's remarkable journey, providing a haven of love, support, and encouragement throughout his illustrious football career and ventures in coaching. Amidst the glories of the football field and the challenges of coaching, Michael Carrick finds solace and strength in the warm embrace of his loving family.
Their unwavering support has been a source of inspiration, driving him to reach new heights and conquer every obstacle with determination and grace. The love they share continues to enrich his life, making every success even more meaningful and every triumph a shared celebration. As Michael Carrick continues to inspire on and off the pitch, his enduring love story with Lisa stands as a testament to the power of love and the beauty of a strong and united family. Through the years, their bond remains unbreakable, a beacon of love and happiness that brightens their lives and touches the hearts of all who witness their journey together.
Michael Carrick Injury Update - FAQs
Michael Carrick confirmed that both Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel will be out for a few weeks. However, the exact duration of their absence is not yet known.
Tommy Smith suffered his injury during a friendly against Real Betis, while Anfernee Dijksteel was on the receiving end of a poor tackle in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.
As of now, Michael Carrick is reluctant to sign a new right-back immediately, as he believes that both Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel are not expected to be out for an extended period.
According to Carrick, Chuba Akpom and Jonny Howson have not been training with the group yet. As the start of the new season approaches, it seems unlikely that they will be available for the opening game against Millwall.
Despite the absence of some integral first-teamers, Michael Carrick remains confident in the team's abilities and is optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming campaign. He believes that dealing with setbacks and injuries is a normal part of football and that the squad has the depth to cope with such challenges.