How does Manchester United midfield ace Michael Carrick spend his offseason? As a roadie!

Carrick spent part of last summer helping out as a roadie for The Sound Ex, a Newcastle band which features his brother-in-law.

"You can see the similarities between a band about to go on stage and a team about to walk on the pitch," he told the Independent. "I love going to their shows and you can get stuck in and lend a hand setting up - their music is great so that always helps."

The Sound Ex, also known as the Sound Explosion, class their music as "rock and soul", and are signed to Newcastle-based indie label Demolition Records.