Boss Hails Quiet Man Carrick

Sir Alex feels Michael Carrick's quiet personality is one of the main reasons why perhaps he doesn't always get the plaudits he deserves.

The midfielder has been excellent for the Reds this term and could even be a contender for the club's Player of the Year award.

It has left many United fans scratching their heads as to why he isn't in the England team, let alone squad, ahead of Euro 2012 but the manager is only really concerned with Carrick's form for the Reds with the focus on the trip to his former club Tottenham.

"I think Michael and [Paul] Scholes are a good partnership," stated the manager. "Michael's form for quite a while has been absolutely superb. He always does well in the second half of the season. I know he disagrees with me on this but I feel the second half of the season sees him at his best and he's doing well so it's pleasing.

"He's not one of the guys who seeks publicity a lot. He's a quiet lad and goes about his life in a similar way to [Ryan Giggs] and Scholes. That doesn't mean to say he's not recognised by us. We get players like that - Denis Irwin was much the same.

"I think it's quite refreshing in the modern game to have players who can rely on their ability rather than wanting to project themselves. He has a different personality, a quiet personality and that can be misleading in the way that people think he has to be encouraged all the time. That's not the case. He's just quiet."

Carrick was clearly pleased to hear the manager's views and appreciates he is a senior figure these days at Old Trafford.

"It is obviously nice when the manager speaks well of you," he admitted. "I have been here a long time now. I suppose I am starting to get classed as one of the more experienced ones now. Because of that, you have to set an example to the lads coming through.

"You have to keep the traditions of the club going. That is what I try to do. It is the manager's belief that we try to carry on."