Ferguson will take charge of United at Old Trafford for the final time against Swansea on Sunday after announcing his retirement from management, with the newly crowned Premier League champions set to receive the trophy following the game.

Carrick has spent seven years under Ferguson's stewardship after joining United from Tottenham in 2006 and stressed his view that the 71-year-old, who has won 38 major trophies with United in his 26 years at the club, is head and shoulders above the many competitors he has faced during his career.
"I am grateful to have been able to play in one of his teams and play for this great club. He is an incredible manager and an incredible man," he told the BBC.

"His man-management, his hunger for success, his drive and desire makes him a one-off.

"Everyone is still coming to terms with the fact he is leaving and and a new manager is coming in. It has been a strange week to say the least. 

"The initial thoughts were really disappointed and quite gutted when the manager told us as a team. It was quite sad in the dressing room.

"Plenty of people can have success over a short time but to keep evolving and changing his team and changing his approach to management is sensational and will never be repeated."

It was announced on Thursday that Ferguson would be replaced by Everton manager David Moyes and Carrick feels the 50-year-old will be able to deliver further success.

"David has done an unbelievable job at Everton over a long period of time to keep them up there challenging for Europe," he added.

"He hasn't had the money of the top four or five clubs but he has always put a team out there to challenge.

"I am sure he will come here and have a successful time. He will not have to change things overnight because things have gone well of late, but he is his own man and we will all be right behind him as players."