LEGENDARY CARRICKTER
JAY IS OFF HOOK FOR BONG SLUR His calm, quiet but inspirational words fired United to derby victory and the iconic midfielder - soon-to-be coach - sees more glory on the horizon
JAY RODRIGUEZ is free to play West Brom’s remaining games after an FA charge of racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong was found “not proven”.
Cameroon international Bong claimed he was “100 per cent certain” Rodriguez (above) said to him: “You’re black, you stink” during Albion’s 2–0 Premier League win at the Hawthorns in January.
Rodriguez, 28, who has one England cap, appeared to pinch his nose after they clashed and Bong complained to referee Martin Atkinson.
In a personal hearing with the FA at Wembley on Wednesday, Rodriguez insisted he had actually said: “Breath f ***** g stinks.”
The FA employed two lip-reading experts but admitted: “Neither could see sufficient to interpret his moving lips because the player’s mouth was obscured.
“After much deliberation we were left in the position where the case distilled to the evidence of each player.
“We could not say that any of the other evidence or competing arguments lead us to prefer one over the other.”
Rodriguez, who faced a minimum five-match ban, will now line up at Manchester United tomorrow for the relegation favourites.
Baggies caretaker boss Darren Moore said: “He could have had a dip in form but such is Jay’s focus to help and remain focused for the job in hand for the team.
“It’s been excellent really and long may that continue.
“His professionalism and focus has been nothing but first class.”
IT says everything about Michael Carrick’s status at Manchester United that he was credited with inspiring their stunning derby win – even though he wasn’t actually playing.
With Jose Mourinho’s men trailing 2-0 and City poised to clinch the title in front of their local rivals, Carrick went round his team-mates at half-time and reminded them exactly what was at stake. His words had the desired effect, United staging a remarkable comeback to win 3-2, with players naming Carrick’s half-time address as one of the key factors behind the triumph.
With typical modesty, he played down the significance of his words, but the experience was a taste of what lies ahead next season, when he takes up a coaching role on Mourinho’s staff. “I didn’t really say an awful lot, to be honest,” said Carrick. “When I first came here, you looked to the older players for a bit of guidance at times. “But, as the years have gone on, I’ve found myself as one of the older ones, and there’s added responsibility that comes as a result. “The manager is in charge, but that doesn’t stop you going around and talking to the lads after he’s said his piece.” Although City are going to claim the title, Carrick is convinced United – as they showed with their derby win – can come back stronger next season and push for a first title since 2013. “It’s never going to go your way all the time, but it’s how you fight back that counts and that’s what we’ve got to do,” said Carrick. “That’s the only way to get back on top.
“When you have a setback, you’ve got to come back stronger. You can’t feel sorry for yourself and drift away. If that’s the case, this isn’t the place for you.
“But time can go quickly. It’s been five years since the last title, from winning it five times in seven years before that.
“That was a special period. We lost one title on goal difference and the other by a single point, so we could have been sitting here with even more.
“Full credit to City, they deserve to win the league this season. But we can only focus on ourselves and try to get better. There’s more to come from us.
“This year, points-wise, it’s not a disaster for us. We’re in second place, so we’re moving forward and we need to keep doing that.” We meet at United’s AON Training Complex to talk about ‘Carrick’s Street Reds’, a project launched by the midfielder to give opportunities to disadvantaged young people. Funded by the £1.5million raised from his testimonial, the project – based at Trafford Barn, near Old Trafford – puts on free coaching sessions for youngsters, with the aim of teaching them life skills and giving them a sense of belonging.
“The whole reason for doing it was looking back and realising how lucky I was with the Wallsend Boys Club growing up in Newcastle,” said Carrick.
“I always thought I’d love to give something back and it’s exciting to be in a position to help kids and make a difference.
“I was happy and safe growing up and it’s scary to think how many young people there are out there who aren’t in that position.”
Carrick, 36, has no regrets at not quitting last summer, even though he has only made four appearances this season, having undergone surgery to address an irregular heart rhythm last autumn. “If I’d stopped last summer, I’d probably be thinking now, ‘Could I have carried on or should I have carried on?’, whereas now it just feels right,” he said. “I’ve had no doubts whatsoever since I made the decision, so that tells me it’s right.” Carrick can look back with pride on a glittering career, one that has yielded five league titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup and three League Cups.
He is likely to make his farewell appearance at Old Trafford against Watford on the final day of the season, the club against whom he made his full United debut back in 2006.
Will there be tears? “I don’t know,” he added. “I’m not normally that emotional but, on the day, I don’t know how I’ll react.”
Carrick will be a hard act to follow, although United’s players will have him coaching and guiding them as they try to emulate his success.