Heroes week on ManUtd.com will reveal who the current United
players admired most when they were growing up. Reds midfielder
Michael Carrick kicks us off with three former
England stars...
I had a few football heroes when I was growing
up, and I admired them for different reasons.
Peter Beardsley was a big favourite - I followed Newcastle
as a young lad and I just loved the way he played the game.
Paul Gascoigne was another hero of mine. He was an
unbelievable player, an absolute genius in fact. I remember
watching him at the 1990 World Cup and he was just brilliant. He
was a great character as well, he enjoyed playing the game and had
fun doing it.
I've been lucky enough to meet Gazza a few times and he's
a great lad. The first time I met him was a bit surreal, as it was
when I met Beardsley who I’ve since got to know quite well.
Ian Wright was someone else who I enjoyed
watching, more for his goal celebrations than anything else!
I wasn't a fan of Arsenal or anything, I just loved the way he
played with a smile on his face. He seemed to have a new goal
celebration every week and me and mates at school would always try
and copy them.
I eventually ended up playing alongside Wrighty at West Ham -
it's crazy how things work out in football sometimes!