The one that got away - Carrick returns to Tyneside with Man Utd

The one that got away - Carrick returns to Tyneside By Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter Published 39 minutes ago 28 Comments It is a journey that Michael Carrick won't forget. The Geordie had been driving up to the North East back in January when he was offered the Manchester United job until the end of the season. Yet Carrick was not about to hog the limelight as he attended a family event alongside, among others, close friend Chris Hood. "It doesn't shock me, but nothing was mentioned," Hood said. "Not one of us knew even though it was bandied around and there were plenty of people around him who were thinking: 'Will it be him?' "But Michael was there for his family and to see his friends. He was there to make the most of that precious time." Such time is now in short supply, of course. Carrick is very much a Manchester United man as he prepares to take his side to St James' Park for the first time as a manager on Wednesday night. But the boyhood Newcastle United supporter has not forgotten his roots. "He understands he is what he is because of what made him," Hood said. 'He credits the boys' club with so much' Take the legendary Wallsend Boys Club, for instance. Carrick followed in the footsteps of Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Steve Bruce as one of a staggering 97 players from the club who went on to become first-team professionals. But the 'Boyza', where Carrick spent countless hours honing his skills, had to be demolished in 2012 due to damage caused by high winds. It meant a generation of youngsters in the area missed out on the chance to use the indoor facility like Carrick did in his formative years. However, funding provided by Carrick's foundation has enabled the club to employ a general manager, John Percival. Percival, in turn, has been instrumental in raising the capital for a new community hub, which was built in 2023. This is the tangible legacy of Carrick's bond with the area as chairman Steve Dale explained. "Michael is still intrinsicall...