Carrick's choice

* This is originally from Manchester United official website. Source

Carrick told FA he didn't want to play bit-part role

Hodgson said. “I’d have to be convinced he (Carrick) was 

better than the four [central midfielders] I’ve selected,

 and that he’d be happy to come out of retirement.”

England manager Roy Hodgson revealed on Wednesday that Michael Carrick had ruled himself out of going to the finals of Euro 2012 because he did not want to be a squad player. The Football Association then confirmed that the Manchester United midfielder had told them “a few months” back that at this stage of his career he “did not want to be sitting on the subs’ bench”.

The England manager had caused a surprise by not even including the 30 year-old in his standby list - Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson was selected instead - after naming his 23-man squad on Wednesday. “I wouldn’t dream of putting Michael Carrick on a standby list after he’s made it clear in the past he doesn’t want to be involved like that,” Hodgson said. “I’d have to be convinced he was better than the four [central midfielders] I’ve selected, and that he’d be happy to come out of retirement.” The FA immediately clarified that Carrick, who won the last of his 22 caps almost two years ago, had not formally retired but would help England “in extremis”. 

Jason Burt, Telegraph

In other news, the Telegraph say Michael Owen’s three-year stay at United will come to an end today with the club expected to confirm that the former England forward will not be offered a new contract.

Many of the papers feature Rio Ferdinand's tweet about his omission from the England squad for Euro 2012: "Absolutely loved playing for England. To say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order.” Former England boss Terry Venables writes in The Sun that he is "surprised" Rio has not been included and adds that "the squad looks a bit naked without him."