'It was a no-brainer to leave Tottenham for Man Utd – I was desperate for transfer'
Saturday's Premier League showdown between Manchester United and Tottenham will be a special fixture for one figure in particular
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces another of his former clubs in the hopes of maintaining his 100 per cent record at the Old Trafford helm. And Tottenham will be eager to get one over on their ex-midfielder after he said he was "desperate" to leave them for the Red Devils.
Despite one previous short-lived stint as caretaker chief of United, Carrick is building a different legacy in his new interim role. The former England international has won three from three in charge of the club to date, having beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham.
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of Carrick's £18.6million transfer to the Theatre of Dreams. The West Ham academy graduate spent just two season with Spurs before Sir Alex Ferguson took notice and plotted a deal to obtain his signature.
And Carrick was seemingly only too happy to do his part in materialising the move. So much so that there won't be many concerns regarding divided allegiances when Tottenham make their way to Manchester in Saturday's early kick-off.
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"I went to the World Cup with England and information was filtering through that clubs were in contact," said Carrick in 2010. "Tottenham told me what was happening, but it seemed to drag on and on.
"I was desperate to come. It was a no-brainer for me as soon as I found out United were interested. The first time I spoke to the manager was on the phone when the move was all sorted. I’ve never been so nervous about getting a phone call in my life. I’d heard the rumours about him, and I was scared stiff. That phone call will stay with me for the rest of my life."
His motivation was well-placed, it turns out. Carrick became an instant hit at United and made a career-high 52 appearances as he won the Premier League in his first season at Old Trafford, then completed a league and European double in his second term under Ferguson.
He collected a total of five Premier League winners' medals at United, along with a Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and three League Cups. He eventually hung up his boots at Old Trafford in 2018, having made an impressive 464 appearances across 12 seasons for the club.
And his contributions may not stop there, at least if the beginning of his time as interim boss is anything to go by. United have looked nigh-unstoppable under his command, winning a Manchester derby on debut before two dramatic victories over Arsenal and Fulham.
Those latter two results were rescued thanks to late goals from Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, the likes of which were somewhat common during the Ferguson era. And it stands to reason that the squad has been able to resurrect some of that never-say-die attitude under someone who saw Ferguson work his magic up close.