Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Michael Carrick deserved to have played more for England.

Scholes wrote in the London Evening Standard: "At 33, Michael is still easily capable of doing that for the other players in this current England team. He gives any attacking midfielder alongside him lots of the ball and also the licence to go forward without worrying about leaving their defence exposed.

"He would have been the perfect England midfield partner for Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard, but most of the time it was those two who played together.

"I don't think he has ever been given a proper run in the England team. As soon as the team has had a bad result, it is Michael who has paid the price. He made his debut in 2001 but he has played just one tournament game, against Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup finals. He should have played more at international level, and had he been Spanish or German he probably would have done."