sportbible
MICHAEL CARRICK could be set to face off against his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney on the sidelines not just once, but twice this weekend.
However, the two Champions League-winning legends will hold off on any conversation until the final whistle sounds in Plymouth’s encounter with Middlesbrough.
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Boro manager Carrick is set for a 750-mile round journey with his promotion-seeking squad, aiming to apply further pressure on Rooney’s struggling Pilgrims.
The two previously clashed during Rooney’s inaugural match in charge at Birmingham last season, which proved to be a challenging start for him.
Carrick insists that their friendship will be shelved for the match as he pursues another victory over his old teammate from Old Trafford and the national team, particularly after their last encounter that ended in a 1-0 win for Carrick.
He commented: “It will be good to see him, but I do catch up with him quite often.”
“Last season marked the first time we stood next to each other on the sidelines, and we took some time to adjust to that, but we’ve moved on from that phase.”
“Both of us have our own roles to play, and we are aware it’s a tough place to compete.”
“We have mutual respect, having been through a lot together, and while we are friends, we are also focused on the game.”
When asked about any conversations they’ve had this week, Carrick noted they share more moments on the pitch than many realize.
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He replied, “Not really. There’s an understanding that we have responsibilities to manage, and we will catch up after the game.”
“We will also socialize soon since our sons are on the same team. I see more of him through that than at any other occasion.”
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Carrick’s son Jacey and Rooney’s son Kai are following in their fathers’ footsteps, having recently helped their U14 team become national champions at Man Utd.
While it’s impressive to see two of Sir Alex Ferguson’s standout players managing from the sidelines weekly, Carrick feels it’s just another day.
He mentioned, “They’ve been involved in this since they were six. It just feels like two old guys standing on the sidelines; it seems normal.”
Rooney has faced intense criticism lately, as a series of disappointing results has left Plymouth battling in the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, Carrick believes Rooney has had a stroke of bad luck and expressed confidence in the legendary striker’s ability to turn things around.
He said, “Their home record has been solid, with some strong displays. They’ve only lost a few home games.”
“They are a tough side to break down at home, and we expect that as we make our way there.”
“Results can fluctuate; we all face peaks and troughs in our performances and results—that’s the reality of football.”
“I watched their match against Sheffield United and thought they performed quite well, being quite unlucky not to get something from that game.”
“I believe they have returning players, and as a unit, they look stronger; we certainly understand what they’re capable of.”
