Michael Carrick has credited the return to form which has seen him recalled to the England squad down to the influence of Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal . The midfielder , hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson last year as the best English player in the game , has won countless club trophies but struggled for consistency at international level throughout his career . Now 33 years old , he is one of the oldest heads in Roy Hodgson ’ s squad and is a strong contender for a place at the bottom of the midfield diamond the England manager so often prefers to deploy . Michael Carrick is happy to be back in the England squad and has credited his return to Louis van Gaal . Carrick had particular praise for the Manchester United manager 's aura and straightforward nature . ‘ Van Gaal has improved me , ’ Carrick said . ‘ Certain situations in games , he 's helped , not just individually but as a unit , as a defensive unit , as a group of players . I 've definitely learnt from him . ‘ He 's been great from the start for me . I could n't ask for any more from him in terms of what he 's given me , and the support and confidence to be a big part of the team . ‘ A lot of people at the top of their field , whether it 's business or sport , tend to have that aura , and he 's certainly got that belief and clarity in what he wants and what he expects from players . 'He 's really straightforward and honest . ‘ What you guys see when he speaks publicly , he 's exactly the same with us . He 's straight down the line and honest and says it exactly as it is. ’ Van Gaal puts an arm around Carrick after they helped United to victory against Liverpool at Anfield . Carrick says he could n't ask for any more from Van Gaal in terms of support and confidence he has given . Carrick is still yearning to improve his game further , despite moving into the twilight of his career , and tries to learn from the very best in his role . ‘ You can look at a few – Andrea Pirlo , Xabi Alonso , Sergio Busquets , ’ he said . ‘ Busquets probably doesn ’ t get enough credit for what he brings to Barcelona . There ’ re a few out there . ‘ I thought Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea were terrific , especially when they went down to 10 men . I like watching and still trying to learn from others. ’ Carrick has also gained his footballing education alongside one of the midfield masters in Paul Scholes , and their former United team-mate and England coach Gary Neville compared the pair to ‘ going into a bar and hearing a piano playing ’ due to the calm they brought to the midfield together . Andrea Pirlo was the first name mentioned by Carrick in terms of midfielders around Europe he looks up to . Xabi Alonso ( right ) was also mentioned , as well as Sergio Busquets in midfielder for Barcelona . Carrick felt Marco Verratti ( bottom ) did a brilliant job for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea in Europe . ‘ It made me laugh , ’ Carrick said . ‘ I can see Nev saying that , but it was quite nice in a way . Playing alongside Scholesy I learned so much . He ’ d take the ball anywhere , he ’ d put his foot on the ball and try to have influence on the game . ‘ It is a lot about your personality , as a person , as a player , that is how I am really , quite quiet and understated , it suits me. ’ Gary Neville ( centre ) compared Carrick 's calmness to ‘ going into a bar and hearing a piano playing ’ Carrick has become a key part of United 's side as they look to secure a place in the Premier League top four . In the absence of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard , England ’ s midfield is crying out for an experienced head in the middle and Carrick , if he can stay injury free , is eyeing Euro 2016 as his tournament . ’ That ’ s definitely what I ’ m striving towards , ’ he added . ‘ I ’ d love to have another real crack at it . Trying to have a bigger influence in the team is the target . ’
Michael Carrick has been recalled to the England squad by Roy Hodgson . Manchester United midfielder credits his return to boss Louis van Gaal . Carrick says Dutchman 's management has improved him last year . 33-year-old credits Van Gaal 's aura and his straightforward nature . Carrick has been watching the top midfielders around Europe to improve .