The Premier League's most underrated midfielder

After proving his class at West Ham and Tottenham, Carrick moved to United in 2006. He has since played 463 times for the Red Devils and now, at 36-years-old, has decided to call time on his career. 

Carrick has won every domestic honour in England, from the Premier League to the FA Cup. His trophy cabinet also boasts a Champions League that he claimed in 2008 against Chelsea. 

One word can be used to define Carrick's career: consistency. With reliable passing, neat tackling, and unwavering control, the United man had all the assets to be dubbed a 'complete player.'

Ex-teammate Gary Neville recently told 'Sky Sports' that the Englishman would do the "unseen things" during a game which is what made him such a class act but, ultimately, caused him to slip under the radar.

As a deep-lying midfielder, Carrick rarely tried the 'fancy stuff' that woos the crowds, nor was he known for having breakneck pace or a prolific goalscoring record - he has netted just 24 times for United.

Instead, the midfielder would orchestrate the game; he'd control the tempo and selflessly serve his teammates so they could take the glory.

Carrick's camouflaged quality meant he struggled to get games for his national side, earning just 34 caps to date for England. "Michael's handicap was, I feel, that he lacked the bravado of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard," said his old manager and mentor Alex Ferguson. 

It's perhaps a shame that it's only as Carrick chooses to retire that he gains the recognition his distinguished career deserves. It seems the Premier League doesn't yet realise how much it's going to miss his talent.