Sidney Sladen
Sir Alex Ferguson Set To Manage Man Utd ’08 XI Against Michael Carrick All-Star XI To Be Managed By Harry Redknapp
Manchester United vice-captain Michael Carrick has been awarded a 2017 testimonial by the club to mark his 11 years with the Red Devils. At the request of the United legend, all monies raised after expenses will be distributed to his chosen charities through the newly-created Michael Carrick Foundation, which itself a registered charity.
The major highlight of the testimonial will be a match between Manchester United 2008 XI and Michael Carrick All-Stars to be played at Old Trafford on Sunday 4th June 2017. The confirmed list of players for the Manchester United team includes Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, while the All-Stars line-up will feature Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Michael Owen. More star names will be announced in the coming weeks.
Michael Carrick said:
“To have played for the greatest football club for 11 years is something that I’m very proud of and it is an honour to have been given a testimonial. The game will be very special for myself and my family and I hope it will also be a memorable day of celebration for all involved. It is such a privilege to have this amazing opportunity and I’m excited at the prospect of bringing together some former team-mates as well as some of the best players I’ve played against. The incredible support I’ve received over the years is something I’m very grateful for and I could never thank you, the fans, enough. As much as the occasion is about football, I also see this as a chance to give something back.”
“All the proceeds from the game are going to charity. I hope to raise as much money as possible for my Foundation to help make a difference to children’s lives. It’s something I’m very passionate about and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this testimonial possible.”
The current Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho had some glowing words to say about the Man Utd legend.
He said: “I am delighted Michael has been awarded a testimonial. Michael is a phenomenal person and a true professional. He gives stability in our game and mental freedom to the other guys around him to be more attacking. He has a big understanding of the game and is a great role model for our younger players. This will be a fitting way for Michael and his family to celebrate his achievements over the past 11 years and for Michael to create a lasting legacy through his foundation.”
Another major feather for the testimonial game is the news that the Man Utd ’08 XI is set to be managed by that man, the great Sir Alex Ferguson!
The greatest manager of all-time, Sir Alex will be in the Old Trafford dugout once again after all these years, to manage the classic Manchester United ‘08 XI against Michael Carrick All-Star XI in Carrick’s testimonial game at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick’s All-Star XI will be managed by former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.
Fergie gave an insight into Michael Carrick’s time during his reign at United and said that Carrick always held his own even among the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes.
Ferguson said: “His character has always been absolutely outstanding. He’s a football man and that character, plus his ability, made him a certainty to be a big success here. I’m delighted he’s getting a testimonial. It tells you Manchester United are probably the only club in England that can do that. Players do tend to stay a long time here.”
When asked how important Carrick was to the team which had the likes of Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes, he said:
“Well there are always players at United under the radar a little bit in terms of their profile and their celebrity status because United is that type of club but, I don’t think that bothered him.”
He also explained how Carrick became an integral part of that team’s success,
“Definitely. Marvellous. When he came at first, I used to wind him up a little bit. In the start to the season, he was always a slow starter when he first came. The rain started to come at the end of September and October and he came into his own. But, after a few years, he took that to his mind, that I’m going to show him.”
When asked how does the team of 2008 rank among all the Manchester United teams that he has built, he replied:
“Well, to win the European cup is fantastic. It was a really great bunch of players with a great attitude about them and a good, strong squad.”
He also praised Carrick’s intentions about charity and described it as ‘very honourable’.
Fergie added: “Absolutely. I read about what Michael’s intentions are and I think it’s very honourable. I think he’s shown he’s prepared to share his success and his contribution to the charity, starting it himself, will be very, very worthwhile.”
The game kicks off at 4 pm and it will be a highly anticipated game as a lot of big names are set to be involved.
Are you all excited to watch Fergie at the helm Manchester United fans?
