Michael Carrick Interview

Michael Carrick Interview

 

This week SoccerBible made a new fan as we caught up with Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick! Find out what the Puma PowerCat wearer had to say about his boots (including the new Tokyo versions!), as well as the greatest feeling he's had in football, the best player in the Premier League and who would be his dream midfield partner...

SB: You've worn Puma football boots for some time, what makes their boots stand out for you? MC: Puma football boots have always suited me, I've had Puma since I was a kid one of my first pairs of boots was the Puma King. I've always liked them and always felt comfortable in them, so when the opportunity came to wear them professionally I was more than happy to.

SB: What were your thoughts when you first saw and wore the PowerCat football boots?

MC: Yeah I liked them. They're comfortable and they're light compared to what football boots used to be like, you don't notice you're wearing them really. Plus there's all sorts of colours going around now so there's quite a big variety.

SB: Do you still get excited when Puma show you a new football boot?

MC: Probably not as much as I did when I was a kid, because any new pair of boots when I was young was such a big deal. Now football boots are part of my daily life, so you go through them quicker, but it's still nice putting a new pair on.

SB: Have you seen the new Tokyo PowerCat?! MC: Yeah I've just seen them, they've been trying to get me to wear them! I actually don't mind them to be fair. SB: The Premier League seems to be wide open this season, do you think that's because the standard has dropped or gone up? MC: I think generally the standards improved with teams coming closer together, I think the teams have got better down the bottom. I also don't think we've played to our potential, and maybe you could say that with a number of other teams near the top. So I think there's maybe mixed reasons why it is. SB: How aware are you of achieving a record 19th title?

MC: It's not something that's really talked about to be honest. We're just focused on winning the league again more than anything, obviously not winning it last year we want to win it again. Of course, having it as the record 19th is a huge thing, but for us players within the dressing room it's not something that drives us forward, its just about winning the league again.

SB: As a 'playmaker' are there particular formations that lend themselves to your style?

MC: I don't mind really I'm quite easy, there's games when we've played well playing 4-4-2, and there's games where we've played five in midfield and one up front. It's just a case of what suits the opposition and the circumstances, so I don't mind either way.

SB: If you had to choose between winning win the Premier League or Champions League this season which would it be?

MC: That's a tough one! I think winning the Champions League was the best feeling I've had in football, so for that reason I think the Champions League stands out. But in terms of winning the league and it being a record 19th title, that would probably stand out this year and be better.

SB: The FA Cup is one title that eludes you, drawing non-league Crawley Town must be a dream tie?

MC: It's typical FA Cup, people say the FA Cup has lost it's feeling but who could dream of things like that coming up! It's a great tie for them, and we feel it's a good tie for us because it gives us a great chance of going through. But we won't take them lightly as we wouldn't disrespect them like that, but we do feel it's an opportunity to progress. There's a few lads in the dressing room who have yet to win the FA Cup and United haven't won the cup for five or six years so we're hungry for it.

SB: What has been your career highlight so far?

MC: Champions League without a doubt. I've never felt like that before, that feeling was incredible!

SB: What's your favouite goal you've scored? MC: Well the most important I think was a couple of years ago, we played Wigan away and I scored with three or four minutes to go, then after that we drew with Arsenal at the weekend and we won the league. So that goal was a big goal, it was a decent goal, but is probably up there for the importance . SB: Have you kept a collection of boots at home from memorable matches and goals? MC: I keep the odd pair like I've got my Champions League final boots, and I've got my boots for my first England game. But I don't keep every pair, it's probably about one pair per season really.   SB: Who do you look up to in the game, and who was your sporting hero growing up?

MC: Beardsley and Gascoigne were the players I looked up to when I was really young. To be honest at the moment you look up to players like Giggsy, Scholes and Neville, just because of what they've achieved in the game, and that comes from seeing them day in day out. I think everyone in the squad looks to them, they're the benchmark of how to go about things.

SB: Who do you think is the stand-out best player in the Premier League at the moment?

MC: I think Gareth Bale had a good spell for a few months, but obviously he's injured at the moment. It's tough to pick any one individual out, I don't think there's anyone that's really set the league alight. Nani has been good for us this season though, with the amount of goals and assists he's got, and Berba's scored goals, but I think it's tough to single anyone out.

SB: If you could play alongside any midfielder from past or present week in week out, who would it be?

MC: It would have to be Scholesy - he's just so good isn't he!

SB: What do you and your team-mates do to relax when not playing?

MC: Just try to spend time with the family, we don't get much downtime in terms of days off and rest from games. Once you've finished one game you're already looking forward to the next game, and trying to get ready for that. We play the odd bit of golf, but to fit in a game of golf is quite difficult, so really it's just resting up and spending time with the family. Nothing exciting though, being a Premier League star is not all it's cracked up to be!

SB: Are there any jokers at the club?

MC: We've got a fair number of younger lads and they're always messing around. Wayne's always up to something in terms of pinching your phone or nicking your car keys! Just in general the whole squad at United get on really well, and there's always something going on!

SB: Finally, is there any good advice you could pass onto young aspiring players?

MC: Just to be relaxed before a game, and then probably remembering what my parents told me when I was young - to enjoy it. Just enjoying it is the most important thing, because when you're enjoying something you tend to do it a little bit better. That's what I've tried to do since I was young, I didn't set out to become a professional footballer I just love football. I played it and played it and fortunately I've been able to do it, but enjoyment is the key.

Before departing to prepare for the Manchester derby, Michael kindly signed a pair of his Puma PowerCat 1.10 football boots, and you can check out our exclusive images and SoccerBible review of Carrick's PowerCat football boots here >>