michael carrick's outstanding second half performance for england against italy on tuesday night has put him on course to become the longest serving outfield player to represent the three lions behind sir stanley matthews carrick made his england debut against mexico in may 2001 as a teenager with west ham united and if – as now seems likely – he carries through to euro 2016, he will be the first non goalkeeper since the legendary sir stanley to have an international career spanning more than 15 years matthews won his 54 england caps over a 23 year period between 1934 and 1957, interrupted of course by the second world war michael carrick's appearance for england against italy on tuesday night keeps him in the longest serving list  carrick has played for england for 13 years, 310 days   while sir stanley matthews reached 22 years, 228 days  sir stanley runs with the ball in action for england against brazil at wembley in an international friendly  stanley matthews (1934 57) 22 yrs, 228 days  peter shilton (1970 90) 19 yrs, 224 days  frank lampard (1999 2014) 14 yrs, 257 days  steven gerrard (2000 2014) 14 yrs, 23 days  david seaman (1988 2002) 13 yrs, 335 days  michael carrick (2001  ) 13 yrs, 310 days  and the legends he overtook  david beckham (1996 2009) – 13 yrs, 43 days  sir bobby charlton (1958 70) 12 yrs, 23 days  bobby moore (1962 73) 11 yrs, 178 days  gary lineker (1984 1992) 8 yrs, 22 days  carrick was hailed by manchester united team mate wayne rooney as 'the best player on the pitch by a mile' after the 33 year old was introduced as a half time substitute in turin and helped roy hodgson's men fight back to earn a 1 1 draw his longevity already surpasses that of great names like sir bobby charlton, bobby moore, david beckham and gary lineker and if he continues to play in the next european championship he will overtake steven gerrard and frank lampard too the only player to have had a longer career since matthews is goalkeeper peter shilton who played for england between 1971 and 1990 it also begs the question why carrick, who has won four premier league titles and the champions league with manchester united, has been used so sparingly by his country at international tournaments he played once at the 2006 world cup in a 1 0 victory against ecuador, was in the squad but never played by fabio capello in the disastrous 2010 campaign in south africa, and wasn't even selected by roy hodgson last year in brazil, even though england's perennial problem has been keeping the ball with rooney now captain and clearly a huge fan of the midfielder, it seems unlikely carrick will be overlooked again and is now finally getting the recognition he deserves the 33 year old may still have a few years left but remains a long way off sir stanley's record  carrick (left) pictured with england team mates raheem sterling (centre) and danny welbeck (right) vs italy, march 31, 2015  vs lithuania, mar 27, 2015  vs poland, october 15, 2013  vs montenegro, october 11, 2013  vs brazil, june 2, 2013  vs ireland, may 29, 2013  vs montenegro, march 26, 2013  vs poland, october 17, 2012  vs san marino, october 12, 2012  vs moldova, september 12, 2012  vs italy, august 15, 2012  vs mexico, may 24, 2010  vs egypt, march 3, 2010  vs ukraine, october 10, 2009  vs slovenia, september 5, 2009  vs holland, august 12, 2009  vs slovakia, march 28, 2009  vs spain, february 11, 2009  vs germany, november 19, 2008  vs germany, august 22, 2007  vs brazil, june 1, 2007  vs spain, february 7, 2007  vs holland, november 15, 2006  vs croatia, october 11, 2006  vs macedonia, october 7, 2006  vs macedonia, september 6, 2006  vs ecuador, june 25, 2006  vs jamaica, june 3, 2006  vs uruguay, march 1, 2006  vs colombia, may 31, 2005  vs usa, may 28, 2005  vs holland, august 15, 2001  vs mexico, may 25, 2001 
228 days england michael carrick tuesday 310 days carrick night mexico 22 years may 2001 stanley matthews manchester united italy 13 years
michael carrick made his england debut against mexico in may 2001  the manchester united man came on  against italy on tuesday night  carrick has been serving england for 13 years and 310 days  sir stanley matthews played for a staggering 22 years and 228 days 