The 37-year-old decided to call time on his career at the end of last season, and subsequently joined the club’s first team coaching staff.
Now, in a candid interview, Carrick has made a stunning revelation, stating that he was battling depression for a span of two years, following Manchester United’s defeat against Barcelona in the final of the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League.
According to Carrick, he remained depressed right until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In case you didn’t know…
In the 2008-09 season, Manchester United made it to the final of the Champions League after defeating Arsenal over two legs in the semi-final. Coming up against Barcelona in the all-important final, United failed to replicate their season’s form and eventually succumbed 2-0 to Barcelona as Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi found the net.
The heart of the matter
Speaking to The Times (via BBC), Carrick said that he blamed himself for the defeat in the 2009 Champions League final after giving the ball away in the play that led to Barcelona’s first goal.
Carrick also added that while some family members knew about his situation, nobody truly knew the extent of his mental suffering.
The Englishman said that it lasted for quite some time, eventually ending only at the World Cup in South Africa.
Video: The game that caused Carrick’s depression
What’s next?
Carrick is now an assistant coach at Manchester United and might see his role develop into something more substantial, at least temporarily, should the club decide to move past Jose Mourinho.
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