His body wasn’t as robust as it once had been, nor was the fire burning as it once had in terms of motivation.
Given he’s 37 in a couple of months, it would be understandable if Jonny Howson found himself in the same situation, particularly on the back of a frustrating season of injury setbacks.
But Carrick senses Boro’s captain is as hungry as ever.
“Towards the end for me, I just knew it was time,” says Boro‘s boss.
“Some will get it earlier than others, but Jonny has certainly got that fire. You can see it.
“He was desperate to be back in and around it and helping the boys. It’s great to see and it’s great to see he’s still got that desire. He’s still got everything to play for still.”
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Including a new contract, if he plans to play on beyond the current season. Howson’s current deal will expire this summer. This is nothing new for the former Leeds and Norwich midfielder, who has been in exactly the same situation for the past couple of years.
What Boro and Howson will decide to do is not yet clear, but the veteran has once again demonstrated his continued importance by coming to his manager’s rescue and impressing in defence in the absence of any fit centre-halves and on the back of a three-month injury absence.
Carrick said: “Having his presence and experience back around the group is invaluable. He’s the model professional really.
“He’s an example on how to train and how to look after yourself. When it gets to this stage, you either have that fire and hunger to keep going or you haven’t. That’s natural and tells you where you’re at and if you’ve still got something to give or not.
“It wasn’t a hard decision for me, to be honest. I think it just naturally came to that point where time for me was time. I probably lost that spark and my body was telling me it was becoming a bit more of a struggle.
“It was just something I accepted really, it wasn’t one big moment where I thought ‘that’s it, it’s over’. I was lucky enough to do it in my terms. Jonny is different right now. That fire is still burning and is raring to go.”
