Michael Carrick: 'Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't ask us to withdraw for internationals'

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 18 April 2013

Carrick: 'Ferguson doesn't ask us to pull out of internationals'

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says that manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not encourage players to withdraw from international friendlies.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has said that manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not encourage players to withdraw from international friendlies.

Ferguson recently questioned the non-competitive games at international level, but Carrick revealed that the Scot does not actively ask anyone to take themselves out of squads to help their club cause.

"I have never had anything from the manager saying pull yourself out or anything in that manner, because it's not in his nature," Carrick told talkSPORT.

"We have got players here who travel the world to play international football. Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) goes to Mexico, Antonio Valencia goes back to Ecuador.

"If you have got the best players, or the better players, then international football is part of it. I don't see a club versus country row. There is obviously two agendas because it's two different set-ups, but they can come together and work well."

England coach Roy Hodgson recently bemoaned the lack of English players playing in the Premier League.