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World Cup blow means Michael Carrick's season of misery is complete World Cup blow means Michael Carrick's season of misery is complete
(35 minutes later)
A season of misery is complete for Michael Carrick. The man who can be midfield marmite – technically astute but no match-changer, claim the naysayers – endured the cruellest close to the campaign on Monday with confirmation he is not in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup. A season of misery is complete for Michael Carrick. The player who can be midfield Marmite – technically astute but no match-changer, claim the naysayers – endured the cruellest close to the campaign on Monday with confirmation he is not in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup.
To miss out on the tournament - and trip - of an elite player's career, a festival of football in Brazil, the game's spiritual home, is a savage blow to try and forget on the beach this summer as Steven Gerrard and company take on Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay in their World Cup group before a fevered global audience of a billion-plus. To miss out on the tournament of a player's career, a festival of football in Brazil, the game's spiritual home, is a savage blow to try to forget on the beach this summer while Steven Gerrard and co take on Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay before a fevered global audience.
This is what the 32-year-old now contemplates unless of injury. Carrick, along with his Manchester United team-mate Tom Cleverley, may have made Hodgson's standby list, but the harsh truth is that each are the final victims of David Moyes' dire tenure as manager. This is what the 32-year-old now contemplates. Carrick, along with his Manchester United team-mate Tom Cleverley, may have made Hodgson's standby list, but the truth is that each are the final victims of David Moyes' tenure as manager.
Last year as United coasted to a 20th-title by 11 points under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson Carrick was a shoe-in to be on the plane to South America next month. He was the central lynchpin who brought class, assurance and rhythm to the engine room, ensuring possession was retained as opponents were overwhelmed. Last year, as United coasted to a 20th-title by 11 points under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, Carrick was a shoo-in to be on the plane to South America. He brought class, assurance and rhythm to the engine room, ensuring possession was retained as opponents were overwhelmed.
This form and these qualities were the reasons why he was recalled by Hodgson after Euro 2012. For that tournament Carrick declined to go on the reserve list as Fabio Capello, Hodgson's predecessor, had chosen him only once following the 2010 World Cup, another major finals for which the man from Wallsend was ignored. This form and these qualities were the reasons why he was recalled by Hodgson after Euro 2012. For that tournament Carrick declined to go on the reserve list because Fabio Capello, Hodgson's predecessor, had chosen him only once following the 2010 World Cup, another major finals for which the player from Wallsend was ignored.
Yet with Hodgson wanting Carrick on-board as his World Cup 2014 quest was plotted he and assistant coach Gary Neville, explored whether the midfielder would contemplate playing again for England. Yet with Hodgson wanting Carrick for his World Cup 2014 quest, he and assistant coach Gary Neville explored whether the midfielder would contemplate playing again for England.
When the response was in the affirmative, the manager promptly named him in a squad in August 2012 for the friendly against Italy, with Hodgson saying then of Carrick: "He didn't want to be considered for the Euros, so I reluctantly thought if people are not available they are not available. He has had discussions with Gary and me since and it turns out that he does want to play. There has never been any doubt that Carrick has not been in our thoughts or our wishes. It was more a case of believing he wasn't available for England." When the response was in the affirmative, the manager promptly named him in a squad in August 2012 for the friendly against Italy, with Hodgson saying: "He didn't want to be considered for the Euros, so I reluctantly thought if people are not available they are not available. He has had discussions with Gary and me since and it turns out that he does want to play. There has never been any doubt that Carrick has not been in our thoughts or our wishes. It was more a case of believing he wasn't available for England."
The plan was for Carrick to be a cornerstone of the squad for Brazil, at least. This began crumbling the moment Ferguson retired and Moyes replaced him last July. The plan was for Carrick to be a cornerstone of the squad for Brazil. This began crumbling the moment Ferguson retired and Moyes replaced him last July.
While Ferguson's brilliance covered up the paucity of United's midfield resources by his insistent demand that the side should attack at pace and down the flanks, the Moyes's blueprint reduced the defending champions to a ponderous outfit who passed sideways too often, with Carrick cast as the chief culprit. While Ferguson's brilliance covered up the paucity of United's midfield resources by his insistent demand that the side should attack at pace and down the flanks, the Moyes's blueprint reduced the defending champions to a ponderous team who passed sideways too often, with Carrick cast as the chief culprit.
This term Manchester City finished the Premier League season by claiming the crown 22 points clear of United, with Carrick often toiling as the main– and only accomplished – man in the centre of the park. Manchester City finished the Premier League season by claiming the crown 22 points clear of United, with Carrick often toiling as the main – and only accomplished – man in the centre of the pitch.
It left his talent exposed. In Ferguson's mob of conquerors he was an asset who found holes for Ashley Young, Nani, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to punch through. In Moyes' band of losers Carrick was the one-gear operator who struggled to affect the contest. It left him exposed. In Ferguson's mob of conquerors he was an asset who found holes for Ashley Young, Nani, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to punch through. In Moyes' band of losers Carrick was the one-gear operator who struggled to affect the contest.
If this seems a simplistic analysis, then the men Hodgson has preferred to Carrick for Brazil illustrates its deep-lying truth. Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, and Ross Barkley have youth and mobility/trickery/pace (or all of these) as extra dimensions Carrick just does not offer. Gerrard is the captain, so has to go, while Lampard may fall into the veteran category occupied by the United man, but he can point to 29 international goals against Carrick's zero. If this seems a simplistic analysis, then the players Hodgson has preferred to Carrick for Brazil illustrates its truth. Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, and Ross Barkley have youth and mobility/trickery/pace (or all of these) as extra dimensions Carrick does not offer. Gerrard is the captain, so has to go, while Frank Lampard may fall into the veteran category occupied by the United man, but he can point to 29 international goals against Carrick's zero.
In the heat of a World Cup finals when progressing to the next phase may be on the line, however, Hodgson may regret not having Carrick's serenity to call on. In the heat of a World Cup finals when progressing to the next phase may be on the line, Hodgson may regret not having Carrick's serenity to call on.
We are about to find out.We are about to find out.