Carrick recalls historic 7-1 win over Roma: "One of the best moments of my career"

The historic match between Manchester United and Roma, which ended with a score of 7-1, was played on April 10, 2007 at “Old Trafford” and was valid for the return leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In that Manchester United managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, Michael Carrick had a central role, both from a tactical point of view and in the dynamics of the dressing room. The memory of that match is still very vivid, even after almost twenty years. So much so that Carrick recalled it at the press conference on the eve of the next match against the yellows, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. With the smile of someone who knows that those times will never return, especially in the face of the depressing reality of a Manchester United in complete and continuous decline.

A golden era, fantastic, unrepeatable, but now over. That Manchester United not only no longer exists, but can never be restored, as it was a combination perfectly prepared by Sir Alex Ferguson, the last great strategist in the house of the “Red Devils”, who has never had an equal on the bench. On the contrary, today this team and this society are not even remotely a pale copy of what they once were. However, a long and invisible thread connects that historic night for English fans with the one that is approaching, which will take place again at “Old Trafford”, but with a completely different spirit and state of mind. That United was full of stars and posed a threat to all of Europe. Today, the “Red Devils” are paying the price in the Champions League, where they have only three points after as many matches, including the humiliating defeat against Como. Even worse is the situation in the Premier League, where they have seven points after nine matches and are on the verge of the relegation zone.

Among those champions who were on the field, today only one remains, but now on the bench: Michael Carrick. It is no coincidence that he recalls that magical evening with a smile and nostalgia in his eyes and voice. “We are talking about many years ago… It was an extraordinary evening, probably the most beautiful of my entire career. I was very lucky to be part of it”. And he was not at all a secondary figure, since in that great 7-1 victory, Carrick scored two goals, embarrassing Roma. But Roma is not the same as it was then. Today, it seems that the roles have been reversed: the yellow and reds lead Serie A, where they have been in the top positions since the beginning of the season, while in the Champions League they are regaining their form and are doing better than United.

Another wake-up call for coach Carrick, once the silent leader in the United dressing room of stars and now the leader on the bench of an unknown team. However, he has already confirmed that he has no intention of abandoning ship in the middle of the storm: "I'm staying here," he said after another defeat against Chelsea, to those who loved him away from "Old Trafford". With the hope that the new challenge against Roma will bring with it not only a suitcase of memories, but also that of resurrection.