Michael Carrick is set to face questions about Manchester City's financial charges next week, and his unique perspective as a former Manchester United player who lost titles to the club means his answers will carry added weight.
Carrick was in the United side that lost the Premier League title to City on the final day of the 2011/12 season. The 45-year-old head coach has previously shown reluctance to revisit that painful memory, but the context has now changed with City expected to be found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League.
A painful memory revisited
Speaking four months ago, ahead of United's trip to Sunderland, Carrick was asked about the day City snatched the title away. Sergio Aguero's goal secured the championship for City, and Sunderland fans mocked United's devastated players with the 'Poznan' celebration.
"Yeah, I can remember that. I've not forgotten it," Carrick said. "It was a one-off kind of feeling and it wasn't during the game. It wasn't until after the game. I didn't really know exactly where the land was at that point."
"So it wasn't until we kind of walked towards the edge of the pitch, and we had to deal with what was thrown out, so, um, it's in the past, you know, but, yeah, it definitely sticks in the memory."
Two titles in question
That 2011/12 season is now one of several under scrutiny, with the title settled only on goal difference. Carrick could argue he was cheated out of a sixth winners' medal, and possibly a seventh, given he was in his final professional year in 2017/18 when United finished 19 points behind a City side that collected 100 points.
Jose Mourinho, who managed United that season, is likely to have his say at his next Real Madrid press conference. Carrick, however, has shown a different approach, seeking to avoid headlines and controversy in his media dealings.
A level playing field question
Carrick has spent recent weeks defending United's low-key approach to spending, with the club pursuing financial discipline and abiding by Premier League and UEFA rules. He has been asked how United can compete with City on the pitch when they cannot compete off it, but the reality is that City still gain an advantage from accelerated spending during the period covered by the charges.
Carrick showed in his final press conference before the international break that he can come out fighting when required. He will have strong opinions on this case and should not be afraid of voicing them, which would win the respect of supporters and could create the siege mentality that was often part of the dressing rooms he was in at Old Trafford as a player.
