Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed it was difficult making the move to London when he was just a teenager.

The 33-year old was drafted into West Ham United's youth academy in 1997 which forced him to leave his home in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear in England's north east.

Carrick debuted for the Hammers in 1999 before moving to Tottenham in 2004 and admits it was a tough time in his life when he took the plunge and packed his bags for England's capital.

"Moving to London at 15 was a struggle, but the best thing I ever did," he told MUTV. "The first three or four months were tough.

"The football was great, but when you were going back [to where you were staying] you didn't have someone there. You didn't have a mobile phone back then, it was a case of going to the phone box [to call home].

"Things like that now you take for granted but then it was a big deal. But it helped me grow. It shaped me a lot faster than if I'd stayed in Newcastle and been pampered."