Michael Carrick Asked Not to Be Picked by England Due to Impact on Mental Health

Michael Carrick has said he asked not to be selected by the England national team after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on the grounds it made him "depressed at times."

Manchester United midfielder Carrick was speaking in an interview with Gabby Logan for BBC Sport's Premier League Show.

Carrick said he made the request to the English Football Association because travelling with the national squad made him "really down."

Carrick's decision meant the Three Lions often played without arguably the best deep-lying playmaker of his generation. At United, Carrick secured the base of midfield, protected his back four and helped launch attacks with astute passing.

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More forward-thinking England midfielders, such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, may have benefited from playing longer with Carrick and the platform he provided.

Similarly, the younger generation emerging for England at the last two international tournaments would have been helped by Carrick's stabilising influence. Attack-minded players like Dele Alli and Jack Wilshere would surely have performed better with Carrick's patience, vision and experience behind them.

Performance psychologist and author Mark Adamoulas applauded Carrick's honesty:

The choice not to represent his country probably prolonged the 36-year-old's club career.

Carrick is set for a permanent place on the coaching staff of United manager Jose Mourinho after he retires from playing at the end of the season.