Manchester United hero Michael Carrick reveals he is ‘blind as a bat’ in new autobiography
The former midfielder was able to see things others couldn't on the football pitch, but in truth he couldn't see much at all
Michael Carrick has revealed that despite being blessed with exceptional vision on the football pitch, his eyesight is actually terrible.
The former Manchester United midfielder surprisingly admits he is 'blind as a bat' in his new autobiography 'Between the Lines'.
Carrick, now assistant to Jose Mourinho at United, was renown for his incredible passing ability during an illustrious career which saw him win every domestic trophy going.
But during all of his 464 Red Devils appearances, Carrick was forced to wear contact lenses because his eyesight is so poor.
"My eyesight’s pretty bad," he told talkSPORT. "It was when I was 15 at West Ham and I was giving the ball away far too much. They sent me for an eye test in the end and realised I needed contact lenses. Ever since then I’ve worn contact lenses from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.
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"I had one instance, it was Middlesbrough at the Riverside. I got poked in my eye so I had to run to the changing room and get a spare one, chuck that one in and get back on the pitch.
"I've been quite lucky, really. That's the only instance I've had where there were any issues with it."
Carrick was never hindered by his eyes as he embarked on a 12-year career at Old Trafford after joining from Tottenham in 2006. However, his England career is a different story.
Despite featuring prominently in several title-winning sides under Sir Alex Ferguson, the midfield maestro only earned 34 England caps, often finding himself below Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the international pecking order.
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And while the 37-year-old questions his lack of opportunities with the national side, he refuses to look back with regret.
"I wouldn’t say it’s painful looking back," he added. ";It is what it is. I haven’t got any regrets about it. Of course it would be nice if it worked out differently, if I was sitting here with more caps or played in more World Cups, or even won World Cups.
"That’s the dream of any kid, but that’s not reality, that’s not how life works. You can’t have it all your own way.
"One of the best days of my life was my debut for England. It was always close to my heart and a big ambition of mine growing up. That was where my heroes came from – Paul Gascoigne in Italia ’90 for instance was a big inspiration for me.
"For whatever reason, my England career never really got going. First of all, I look at myself and think maybe what I could’ve done better. Of course, there were times when I was playing well and maybe didn’t get a pick. But I’m not here to complain about that."