Michael Carrick is just days away from his final Manchester United game and what a career he's had.

Since turning his back on Tottenham back in 2006, Carrick has amassed 463 appearances for the Red Devils, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League along the way. Throw in an FA Cup, three League Cups and five Community Shields for good luck, too.

Nevertheless, Sunday will draw an end to his playing career at United before the Englishman looks to make it as a coach at the club.

And Carrick has already started to gain some coaching experience with United this season.

During the clash with Swansea City, Carrick took residence on the bench but not as a player.

Carrick going into coaching

He penned after the game: "Slightly different experience for me today, one I certainly enjoyed. It’s all part of the learning process. More importantly it was the 3 points we wanted."

Part of the learning process indeed yet there's no doubt his years in the game will set him up with plenty of insight going forward.

That's not to mention the fact he had seven incredibly successful years under arguably the greatest manager in history - Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fergie thought Carrick played better in rain

Carrick will have seen countless moments of managerial genius from Ferguson over the years and in a recent interview with ESPN, he's revealed a quirkier side to the Scotsman's coaching.

Drawing on his own experience, the 36-year-old revealed why Ferguson began to stop playing during the early weeks of the season and it's certainly bizarre.

Carrick said: "It was at the start of the season, for about three years in the row, he used to tell me, 'you don't play well until it starts raining.

"At the time I was thinking, 'What's he talking about?' But then you'd get in the team around September or October, I'd miss the first four to six weeks and then once I got in the team, I always pretty much stayed in the team."

Carrick has never been known for his pace, so perhaps Ferguson wasn't a fan of the robust midfielder being deployed in more taxing, warmer conditions.

And in reference to his mistake in the 2009 Champions League final, he added: "To be fair, I gave the ball away for their first goal. It was a header, I kind of headed it down and they took it, but yeah, he never actually had a go at me for it.

"That's probably why I didn't play until October!"

That, Michael, or the lack of rain!

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