Carrick is ready to take centre-stage for England at Brazil 2014

By Neil Ashton

PUBLISHED: 16:48 EST, 15 October 2013 | UPDATED: 20:38 EST, 15 October 2013


There is a void in Michael Carrick’s career, an issue that continues to vex him. It is called the World Cup.

Carrick, with five Barclays  Premier League titles and a Champions League winner’s medal, has made just one appearance at the biggest tournament in football.

In 239 days’ time, when the World Cup finals start in Sao Paulo,  Carrick can set the record straight on his international career.

Time to shine: Michael Carrick can at last become a mainstay in the England side

Time to shine: Michael Carrick can at last become a mainstay in the England side

Trust: Roy Hodgson (right) installed Carrick in England's midfield for the crucial clash with Poland

Trust: Roy Hodgson (right) installed Carrick in England's midfield for the crucial clash with Poland

The momentum is with him after he was picked to play in England’s final qualifier against Poland last night. Like his passing game, he has had to be patient.

England won and Carrick, who played his part in the move for Wayne Rooney’s opening goal, is on his way to another World Cup. This time he has to leave an impression.

Sitting snugly alongside skipper Steven Gerrard in the centre of England’s midfield, Carrick did everything you would expect of a player who had 123 touches in his last start for Manchester United.

That was against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light when Adnan Januzaj stole the show, but the unseen work all came from Carrick.

England’s head coach made a mental note of his contribution and his selection in the final game in Group H was the end result.

His passing was immaculate, his all-round game barely wavering from the seven-out-of-10 performances he has delivered for the past seven seasons at Old Trafford.

Shield: As you can see from his heat map, Carrick helped to protect England's back four

Shield: As you can see from his heat map, Carrick helped to protect England's back four

Carrick's touch map

Carrick's touch map

He worked the angles, keeping the ball moving as England worked the openings across Poland’s stretched midfield. The England man was always available, dropping off Adrian Mierzejewski and captain Jakub Blaszczykowski to receive the ball in any situation.

That’s his game and at the age of 32 he isn’t about to make any radical changes. It’s too late for that.

He did what was asked of him by keeping it simple, fizzing the ball into the feet of Andros Townsend and Danny Welbeck on England’s flanks. It was sensible and instructive.

The selection pendulum has swung his way, picked to play ahead of a man with 101 England appearances to his name.

Frank Lampard missed out, left on the bench until he was called to replaced Carrick’s tiring legs with 20 minutes left on the clock. By then he had done his job, earning a standing ovation from England’s fans as he high-fived Gerrard on his way towards the touchline.

It was a decent night’s work, an effective performance from a player who has spent too long in isolation at international level.

He began his career with England in 2001 in a friendly against Mexico, but has never been able to break the stranglehold that exists in midfield.

Patient: Carrick rarely loses the ball and often starts attacks for his side

Patient: Carrick rarely loses the ball and often starts attacks for his side

Carrick v Poland stats from Opta

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany he was restricted to a solitary start in a second round clash with Ecuador which England won 1-0.

Four years later he spent weeks in isolation at Camp Capello in Rustenburg and failed to make a single appearance in South Africa.

Group games against the USA, Algeria and Slovenia passed him by and he didn’t get a kick in the 4-1 defeat against Germany in Bloemfontein in the second round.

After that he was done with making up the numbers, heading into international hibernation after another disastrous World Cup.

Hodgson approached him on a peace-keeping mission after Euro 2012, promising him some playing time as they ploughed through this group. It worked.

Carrick craves the chance to play for England, properly, as a first-choice central midfielder at a World Cup finals.

Last night Hodgson wiped the slate clean, calling him into the team to keep England in control and maintain composure at Wembley.

It’s the reason he was voted player of the year at Old Trafford and selected by fellow professionals in the team of the year for the first time last season.

He is easy on the eye, blessed with a sweet first touch and the confidence to play one-touch passes into the feet of team-mates.

Last night he did enough to justify the decision, hovering in front of England’s back four and helping to start their almost ceaseless attacks.

At the World Cup next summer, Carrick has the chance to make a lasting impression.

Not afraid to put his foot in: Carrick is not a dramatic player but he is one valued by his team-mates

Not afraid to put his foot in: Carrick is not a dramatic player but he is one valued by his team-mates

 

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The name of the game is to keep the ball and there is no one more comfortable with it in the England team than Carrick.

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Actually the name of the game is to put the ball in the opponents net, but you're partially corect, Carrick is very comfortable passing the ball around the centre circle until the final whistle.

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It's quite simple, he is one of the best midfielders this country has and finally people are seeing it. Those who doubt him know nothing about football and would probably want us to go back to the "run at them and see what happens" style of football we're thankfully rid of.

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so many comments about Carrick,some rate,some don't rate and some just from ABU's....it makes no difference who play in their side,england made it to the big party but thats as far as it goes,so very,very average,the usual QF's will be a real achievement this time round.

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Only people who can't play & understand football give Carrick grief!! He's class, he makes us play, keeps us ticking over in the middle & you need that sort of player in there. Lampard should never start a game alongside Gerrard again, never as & never will work!!

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Unfortunately a lot of football fans don't understand football or see what some players do. Carrick is quality. Gerrard, Carrick, Wilshire, Barkley & Milner should be England's centre midfielders going to the World Cup

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Carrick was invisible for most of the game, he's really just a poor man's version of Leon Britten, all sideways passes and Zero goal threat. Carrick is 32 and has never been an automatic choice for England or for long periods at United.

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Lose your tribal instincts, please... Carrick is 32... And your point? He will be 32 and a half at the WC finals?? He is not in the team because of his goal ( sorry, your ) expectations. He did a good job last night, we won, I'm over the moon and he is going to be in the squad for the finals. Congratulations are in order. The time for Fantasy Football Management has ended, Roy has made his decisions, now it's time to GET BEHIND YOUR MANAGER.

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As soon as Carrick left the field, England passing, ball retention & free flowing control of the game dropped, that's how good he is.

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carrick nah,, what about leon brittan just sitting ther keeping it simple, calm and ticking over!

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Man utd is doomed if Carrick got injured. They can play without anyone but Carrick now.

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Leave Roy Hodgison to do his job his own way. Lampard has the best stats & records more than any England midfielder. Why don't u tell us about this???

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