Shoot! would like to wish England international and Manchester United star Michael Carrick many happy returns as the midfielder celebrates his 36th birthday today!

The birthday boy, who has 34 international caps for The Three Lions, scored one goal in 38 appearances in all competitions for The Red Devils last season as Jose Mourinho’s side lifted the UEFA Europa League and the EFL Cup.

Carrick, who arrived at Old Trafford back in July 2006 from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £18.6m, has lifted five league titles at The Theatre of Dreams, plus the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup and three League Cups, among other honours.

The central midfielder has netted 23 times in 459 games overall for United, and after eleven years of service to the club, was rewarded with a testimonial match back in June 2017.

Now, following the departure of skipper Wayne Rooney to Everton this summer, United boss Mourinho has named Carrick as his captain ahead of the forthcoming 2017-18 season.

To celebrate his captaincy and his latest milestone, here is Shoot!‘s five facts you may not know about Carrick…

San Siro Sending Off

Carrick has only been sent off ONCE in his entire professional career!

The midfielder was given a red card in Manchester United’s 3-2 Champions League win over AC Milan at the San Siro back in 2010.

Centre Forward to Central Midfield

During his childhood, prior to his move to West Ham United in 1997, Carrick was a centre-forward.

It wasn’t until he joined The Hammers that the club’s coaches realised he had greater potential in the centre of the park.

FA Youth Cup Starlet

Carrick went onto become one of West Ham’s finest youth team graduates, after inspiring The Hammers’ 1998-99 FA Youth Cup triumph.

The midfielder scored twice in the two-legged final against Coventry City, which West Ham won 3-0 and 6-0 respectively (9-0 aggregate).

Toon Army Fan

Born in Wallsend, east of Newcastle, Carrick grew up as a diehard United fan – Newcastle United that is!

The 36-year-old hasn’t played for his boyhood club, yet, having previously featured for the likes of West Ham, Swindon Town (loan), Birmingham City (loan) and Tottenham.

In May 2017, Carrick extended his United contract until the summer of 2018. After that, who knows? The England international could seek a move to St James’ Park…

Sibling Love

Manchester United ’08 XI’s Graeme Carrick (left) and Michael Carrick.

Carrick has a brother, named Graeme.

Four years younger than Michael, Graeme also played for West Ham, but several severe injuries curtailed the prospect of a professional football career.

Nevertheless, he became an FA Regional Coach Mentor (North East & Yorkshire) and was coaching the Under-10 and Under-16 age groups at Newcastle United.

Graeme also played in his elder sibling’s testimonial at Old Trafford back in June, replacing former defender Wes Brown in the Manchester United 2008 XI in the second-half.