Fergie never asks anyone to snub England - Carrick

LONDON (AFP) –

Manchester United‘s Michael Carrick celebrates a goal at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, on December 9, 2012. Carrick on Wednesday claimed Alex Ferguson has never asked him to pull out of an England squad.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick on Wednesday claimed Alex Ferguson has never asked him to pull out of an England squad.

When United defender Rio Ferdinand made a controversial withdrawal from the England squad for last month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, it was Old Trafford boss Ferguson who was blamed in some quarters.

It has been suggested on several occasions that Ferguson prefers his players to miss internationals, believing any injuries would jeopardise United’s hopes of winning trophies.

Ferguson recently admitted he found international friendlies a hindrance to his own work at Old Trafford.

But, ahead of Wednesday’s trip to West Ham, Carrick said Ferguson had never pressured United stars to ignore call ups from their countries.

“I have never had anything from the manager saying pull yourself out or anything in that manner because it’s not in his nature,” Carrick told talkSPORT.

“We have got players here that travel the world to play international football. Javier Hernandez goes to Mexico, Antonio Valencia goes back to Ecuador and from there he travels to wherever they are playing.

“If you have got the best players, or the better players, then international football is part of it.

“I don’t see a club v country row. There are obviously two agendas because it’s two different set-ups, but they can come together and work well.”