Midfielder Michael Carrick feels blessed to count Fabio Capello and Sir Alex Ferguson as his managers.

In three years working with Ferguson at Manchester United, Carrick has amassed a hat-trick of titles, reached successive Champions League finals and even been crowned a world champion.

Now he is hoping to transfer some of that success to the international stage with England, where Capello has made a similar impact in a far shorter period of time.

"They both have that real presence and aura about them," he said.

"When they say something everyone listens and takes note.

"Sometimes they don't have to say anything, just their presence or reaction comes across really strongly to the players.

"It brings a respect. It is not a fear but a feeling that spurs you on to do well.

"In some ways, it is like a kick up the backside.

"You know that you have always got to be on your toes and performing well."

Not that Carrick has been an ever-present figure under Capello.

It seems the Wallsend-born midfielder has been overtaken by Gareth Barry in the battle to be foil to Frank Lampard in an engine room that has now been vacated by Steven Gerrard.

It is not the first time Carrick has been viewed as an England outsider, the former Tottenham man having won just 19 caps.

Indeed, even a place in England's World Cup squad will be in jeopardy if United team-mate Owen Hargreaves makes a successful comeback from major knee surgery.

"You want competition," he argued.

"You thrive on it and it drives you on to get better, improve and play well.

"There's bags of competition at United and England is no different.

"It just means I've not played as much as I would've liked, whereas at United the games come along faster."

That is the kind of accepting attitude that has seen Carrick labelled "too nice".

Yet underneath the calm exterior is a steely side.

The 28-year-old may not have appeared for a single minute of England's World Cup campaign so far, but if he gets a chance against the Ukraine on Saturday, Carrick is determined to shine.

"You can't play in Champions League finals or win Premier Leagues and play for Manchester United week-in, week-out, without being able to shoulder expectations," he said.

"Just because you are nice, it doesn't mean you can't be a top player. That's what I think.

"But in any case, maybe I am not quite as nice as I look."