text: Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed he wants to take up a career in motorsport when his playing days are over. Carrick has enjoyed a renaissance this season as Louis van Gaal's side put their stuttering start to the season behind them and carved out a place in the Champions League places. The former West Ham and Tottenham star, now 34, is not planning to hang up his boots any time soon, but when he does he says he'd like to try his hand behind the wheel of an F1 car. Michael Carrick celebrates after Manchester United score, and hopes to be playing for many more years . Carrick revealed that, when he finally hangs up his boots, he wants to try his hand at Formula One . He told MUTV: 'I wouldn't swap football for anything... except maybe to be an F1 driver. 'I'd love to have a go. I love the sport, I'm a massive fan. I've done a few track days and enjoyed that, but there's nothing like going to watch F1. I'm hooked on it. 'Football is work and it's a lot more than that too. But it's about getting balance in your life as you get older. 'At 33 or 34, that's when you're not sure how your body is going to react. 'Living right and trying to look after myself gives me a better chance. I feel as good and as a fit as I ever have. 'I'm not saying I can last as long as Giggsy (Ryan Giggs). Not many people, if anyone, can do what he did. But I tried to learn off Giggsy, Scholesy (Paul Scholes) and Gaz Nev (Gary Neville). Carrick talks to United assistant Ryan Giggs, and says he wants to emulate the legend's longevity . Carrick applauds the Old Trafford fans, as he tries to find ways to keep at the top of his game, despite his age . 'It's stuff in the gym, yoga, living right, eating right... it all comes together and hopefully gives you a chance of playing for that extra couple of years.' The 34-year-old midfielder, who started his professional career at West Ham, admits moving to London from his family home in the north east at the age of 15 was one of the biggest challenges he ever faced. 'Moving to London at 15 was a struggle, but the best thing I ever did,' he said. The first three or four months were tough. Carrick (right) moved to West Ham as a 15-year-old, and says it forced him to grow up fast . '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.' Watch Carrick: Life Before United on MUTV (Tuesday 14:00, 21:30, Wednesday 09:30, 18:00).
target: Manchester United midfielder admits he is 'hooked' on Formula One .
  Michael Carrick says he'd 'love to have a go' at the sport professionally .
  But Carrick is convinced he still has years left in football .