Rio Ferdinand: Manchester United's season cost Michael Carrick his World Cup spot



Michael Carrick was not selected for England's World Cup squad

Manchester United's poor season is to blame, claims Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic consoled Carrick with a drink at the pub

The holding midfielder doesn't get the respect he deserves, says Ferdinand

Former England defender admits uncertainty surrounding David Moyes contributed to United's poor season



Rio Ferdinand is an interviewer, programme-maker and football expert for BT Sport

Michael Carrick could be forgiven for thinking that Manchester United’s season cost him his place at the World Cup — and there is some justification for that belief.



As someone involved in that extraordinary campaign, it’s safe to say it was a rollercoaster ride, and draining emotionally.



It’s a real shame for Carrick that one side-effect was losing his place on the greatest stage. He was downbeat about the news — and I know because I was with him when he got the call to say he wasn’t going. Nemanja Vidic and I took him to the pub for a consolation drink.

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Left behind: Michael Carrick (L) was not selected for England's World Cup squad in Brazil

Cost of failure: Michael Carrick paid the price for a poor season at Manchester United, says Rio Ferdinand



If anything, I was even more shocked than Carrick. If there is an obvious replacement then fine, but there isn’t. He’s been under-appreciated in an England shirt and never had the respect he deserves.



He’s the best holding midfielder England have. He knows the role. He’s not constantly wondering whether to stay or go because he plays it, week in, week out. But he’s not been utilised by the national managers, not given that run of eight, nine, 10 games over a sustained period to settle.



Unsettled is perhaps a good description of our club season. We weren’t playing well and those fluctuations in consistency take their toll. United fans rightly want success and it gets stressful for everyone when it’s elusive.



Year from hell: Manchester United suffered their worst ever season in the Premier League, finishing seventh

Shock to the system: Rio Ferdinand (L) admits the uncertainty surrounding David Moyes contributed to their woes

The pressure mounted. Questions started to be asked about David Moyes’s future as manager. That adds pressure all round. Who might he buy? Who would play? Was he even staying, or going?



We didn’t know. He didn’t know. After 27 years of Sir Alex Ferguson, that uncertainty was a shock at United.

