United agree £18.6m for Carrick

Tottenham have agreed a fee of up to £18.6million for the transfer of midfielder Michael Carrick to Manchester United.

The 25-year-old, who was a member of the England squad at the World Cup, is due at United this morning for a medical.

In a statement issued to the Stock Exchange this morning, Tottenham said: "Tottenham Hotspur plc announces that agreement has been reached for the transfer of the player registration of Michael Carrick, subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, to Manchester United Football Club for a total consideration of up to £18.6million."

The United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted his squad needs only minor tweaking to launch a major challenge to Chelsea.

Carrick is unlikely to be the last new face to arrive before the campaign opens against Fulham on August 20.

"We have targeted several players but in my experience, these things take time," said Ferguson.

"Michael will have his medical on Monday and then, hopefully, we will be able to conclude that deal."

Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar are all set to play for United at Macclesfield tonight.

Rooney is due to meet up with Cristiano Ronaldo again, with the Portugal winger due back at Carrington for the first time since the infamous World Cup bust-up with his young United team-mate.

MICHAEL CARRICK FACTFILE

1981: July 28 - Born in Wallsend, North Shields.

1998: August 1 - Signed professional contract for West Ham.

1999: August 29 - Made Hammers debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win at Bradford in the Premiership.

November 11 - Loaned to Swindon where he scored two goals in six starts.

2000: February 27 - Loaned to Birmingham where plays in two games.

April 22 - Scored his first goal for West Ham in the 5-0 win against Coventry.

December 9 - Scored his only goal of the 2000-1 season with a strike against Aston Villa.

2001: January 28 - Played in West Ham's 1-0 FA Cup victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

May 25 - Made England debut, playing for most of the second half in a 4-0 win over Mexico.

August 15 - Played for England in 2-0 defeat to Holland at White Hart Lane. Has not been capped since.

November 13 - Scored winner for England Under-21's in European Championships play-off clash against Holland at Pride Park.

2003: May 11 - Injured for West Ham's relegation battle, Carrick can only watch as his side lose top-flight status.

2004: May 29 - West Ham miss out on promotion after losing to Crystal Palace in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

August 24 - Signs for Tottenham in a deal worth £2.75million. Had been linked with Arsenal, Portsmouth, Everton, West Brom and Crystal Palace.

September 14 - Spurs debut delayed by a sprained ankle in training.

October 18 - Makes first Spurs appearance in a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

November 11 - Makes first start for Spurs in the 3-0 win against Burnley in the Carling Cup.

2005: May 12 - Named in England squad for summer tour of United States.

2006: May - Selected in England's World Cup squad by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

June 25: Given first taste of World Cup football, playing all 90 minutes in the last-16 victory over Ecuador. Despite impressing he is dropped for quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

July 28 - Manchester United reveal they have agreed a fee with Tottenham for the transfer of Carrick, subject to agreeing personal terms and a medical.

July 31 - Tottenham agree a fee of up to £18.6million for the transfer of Carrick to the Red Devils.