Moyes regrets Carrick failure

David Moyes admits he still regrets Everton's failure to sign Michael Carrick in 2004.

Everton boss David Moyes admits he still regrets the club's failure to sign Michael Carrick when he left West Ham in 2004.

Everton, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth all attempted to prise the player away from Upton Park at the time, but he eventually chose to join Tottenham.

Carrick has grown better and better as a player since the switch, and last summer secured an £18.6million move to Manchester United.

And, ahead of Everton's Premiership game against United at Goodison Park on Saturday, Moyes admitted he is still full of admiration for the England midfielder.

"We talked about Carrick for a long time when he was leaving West Ham, but it didn't quite come off," he told The Times.

"He was one player we were really interested in and he's turned into an excellent player.

"Am I surprised? No, I think when you look back you'd have to say that maybe all the signs were there.

"Maybe Tottenham were the ones who saw the potential that could come through, but it looks as though United are getting the best out of it, even though I thought he was already a really good player at Tottenham.

"I think he's taken his game to the next level at United, though."