 After his arrival in 2006 , Carrick formed an effective partnership with Paul Scholes , with Carrick playing in a holding role and Scholes as a deep playmaker . This midfield partnership massively contributed to a change towards a continental playing style embraced by manager Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz , which relied on passing and keeping possession in contrast to the more traditionally direct and all @-@ action style of English football . His unassuming style , however , has also led to a lack of attention from successive England national football team managers in favour of all @-@ action midfielders such as Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard , a fact noted by Carrick 's club and national team captain Wayne Rooney . 
