Michael Carrick has never felt worse than he did after
the defeat to Barcelona last May. Yet, as the midfield
lynchpin told United
Review, the Rome experience
has merely made the players more determined to win further
silverware....
How was your summer - did you completely switch off from football
or spend time reflecting on last season?
I tried to
switch off and relax, but it was quite hard after what happened in
Rome. I’m still trying to get over losing the [Champions
League] final, and I don’t think I will until I win it again.
But when you look at the bigger picture, it was a successful
campaign. We went to Japan and came back as world champions, won
the Carling Cup and went on to win the league for a third time in a
row, so we showed how good a team we are.
How does the squad’s mood compare to that of the last few
pre-seasons?
It’s the same as always, we’re ready to
go again. That’s the beauty of this club, despite all the success,
every year you come back and want to achieve more. What’s happened
has gone, now it’s about looking forward and trying to earn it all
over again.
Have you sensed the team’s renewed determination after the
Barça loss?
We’re just as determined as we always
are. Winning in Moscow last year was amazing, and we were desperate
to repeat that feat. We’ve experienced two very different nights in
relatively quick succession, and we know which we like best. Losing
like we did in Rome was hard to take, and no-one wants to
experience that again. It’s certainly the worst I’ve ever felt
after a match – it took about a week for any of my family to be
able to talk to me properly. We’ve all learnt a lot from what
happened and are determined to come back stronger this
season.
There have been a few comings and goings over
the summer - how do you assess the strength of the
squad?
I don’t think it can be questioned. The gaffer
has assembled a fantastic group, bringing in a great mixture of
younger lads and experienced players, and the strength and depth
here is second to none. Obviously losing Cristiano [Ronaldo]
was disappointing because he’s been a huge player for us, but we’ve
got a lot of top players here to deal with that and still be
successful.
You recently celebrated your 28th birthday – do you feel
you’re reaching your prime as a player?
I certainly
feel great. Around your late 20s and early 30s is the time when
players tend to peak – hopefully I can do that and keep it going as
well!
Was last season your best in a United shirt, and perhaps
your career?
Maybe, yes. It’s difficult to judge,
though, because the season before we won the league and Champions
League, and I played the same way. The longer you’re here and the
more games you play, the more responsibility there is on your
shoulders, and you have to step up to that. I want to keep working
hard on every aspect of my game and become the best player I
possibly can.
Finally, after football, what’s your favourite
sport?
To play, I’d say golf, but to watch it has to be Formula 1. I’ve
been lucky enough to go to a few Grand Prix meetings and chat to
the drivers. I’ve met Mark Webber a few times, he really looked
after me when I went to Monaco last year, and I watched this year’s
British Grand Prix from inside the Red Bull team’s garage. They
even gave me headphones so I could hear what the drivers [Sebastian
Vettel and Webber] were saying to the team. They finished first and
second respectively, so it was a great atmosphere.