Former Real Madrid presidential candidate Lorenz Sanz had a deal for Manchester United hero Michael Carrick, it has been revealed.

Sanz challenged for the presidency in 2006 and Marca recalls he had Carrick as part of his ticket, along with Sevilla transfer guru Monchi and former Real coach Vicente del Bosque.

Carrick, then with Tottenham, was on his initial wish list alongside Emerson and Gianluca Zambrotta (both Juventus), Fernando Gago (Boca) and Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburg). In fact, far from hiding it, he openly acknowledged it: "We have an agreement with these five footballers and their clubs; none of them are 'galactic', but they are team players."

On Carrick, he noted: "He is (Frank) Lampard's companion in the centre of the field of the English team. He is 24 years old, a lot of quality and is very good in his position."

In the end, it did not happen. Lorenzo Sanz (2,377 votes) finished fourth in the elections behind Ramón Calderón (8,343), Juan Palacios (8,098) and Juan Miguel Villar Mir (6,702).

Carrick today is caretaker manager of Manchester United.