sportskeeda
MICHAEL CARRICK could end up on the opposite sidelines from his former Manchester United colleague Wayne Rooney not just once, but twice this weekend.
Despite their shared history as Champions League winners, the two will keep the conversation to a minimum until the final whistle of Plymouth’s game against Middlesbrough.
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Boro’s manager Carrick is set to make a 750-mile round trip with his promotion-seeking squad, aiming to add pressure to Rooney’s struggling side.
The two had previously met during Rooney’s first match leading Birmingham last season, which unfortunately didn’t go well.
Carrick insists that their friendship takes a backseat during the match as he seeks another win over his former Old Trafford and England teammate, having previously bested him 1-0.
He noted: “It’ll be good to see him, but I actually meet him quite frequently and we keep in touch often.
“Last season marked our first time next to each other on the sidelines, and we probably spent some time adjusting to it, but we’ve moved beyond that novelty now.
“Both of us have duties to fulfill, and we accept that it can be challenging to compete.
“We share a genuine respect for one another, considering our experiences together, and while we are friends, we understand the circumstances.”
When questioned about whether they had communicated this week, Carrick mentioned that they likely interact more on the field than people might think.
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He added: “Not really. We both acknowledge our responsibilities, and we can catch up after the match.
“We’ll actually have the chance to socialize again soon because our sons are teammates. I tend to see more of him through that than during any other time.”
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Carrick’s son Jacey and Rooney’s son Kai are both following in their fathers’ footsteps, having secured trophies at Man Utd after helping their U14 team win the national championship in May.
It’s quite a remarkable sight to witness two of Sir Alex Ferguson’s key players overseeing matches each week, but Carrick doesn’t view it in that light.
He remarked: “They’ve been doing this since they were six. It’s just two older guys on the sidelines, it feels completely normal.”
Rooney has recently faced intense criticism as a string of unsatisfactory results have left Plymouth in the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, Carrick believes Rooney has been dealt a tough hand and expressed confidence in the legendary striker’s ability to turn things around.
He added: “Their home record has been quite good, with some solid performances. They’ve only lost a couple of games at home.
“They are a difficult team to break down at home, which is what we anticipate as we head down there.
“Results can be hit or miss; we all experience fluctuations in our performance and results, it’s part of the sport.
“I observed them against Sheffield United and thought they played well, being very unfortunate not to earn any points from that game.
“I believe they’re getting some players back, and as a unit, they appear stronger; we completely recognize their potential.”
