By Mark Weasley
Jonny Evans believes that Michael Carrick still has it in him to keep playing for many more years. The West Brom defender, who used to play alongside 35-year-old Carrick at Manchester United has lauded the attributes of his former teammate and believes this weekend’s testimonial is a fitting tribute to a player that has not gotten the true respect he deserves in the game.
Carrick got signed for Manchester United in 2006 from Tottenham as a long-term replacement for Roy Keane, but the personalities of both individuals can best be described as being opposite ends of a long ruler. Whereas Keane was the ferocious, all action, battling midfielder, Carrick is the archetypal deep lying playmaker, orchestrating things from deep.
Carrick who played a big part in United’s successful season under Jose Mourinho got a contract extension that will see him at the club till next summer. He is already working with the youth sides to earn a coaching badge as he is believed to be a readymade coach due to his knowledge of the game and football intelligence.
Speaking to MUTV, Evans said:
“I always used to say to Michael that he has got the best physique of any footballer I have ever seen! He is lean, he has got great posture, he is in proportion and you can see that his body is designed to be a footballer.
“It is the perfect build for this game. He looks after himself, he is very professional and he can go on for a long time. He can play for years yet, I really believe that.” he added.
The former West Ham youngster has never got the adulation he deserves during his time at Old Trafford but has been a mainstay of different title winning sides. His calmness in possession, passing ability and distribution are some of the attributes that makes him stand out, yet his attitude for all of his professional career has always been exemplary and Sunday’s testimonial goes a long way in showing that.
