Carrick takes over Roy Keane's No. 16 shirt at Manchester United
Michael Carrick insists his £18.6m move to Manchester United was a footballing rather than financial decision.
He signed from Spurs after passing a medical and said: "It's an offer that has come at the right time for me both professionally and personally.
"I felt I couldn't turn it down. This is a football decision, a decision not driven by money."
He will wear former captain Roy Keane's number 16 shirt, and will be unveiled at a news conference on Wednesday.
Michael Carrick's crossbar challenge
The England midfield man is understood to have signed a contract worth around £50,000-per-week.
Carrick, 25, paid tribute to Spurs coach Martin Jol after completing the formalities of his switch from White Hart Lane.
He said: "I've had a great time at Spurs and the club has been brilliant for me.
"There is an excellent squad full of top players and a number of younger lads coming through the ranks as well. I can only see successful times for the club in the future.
"Martin is a great manager and has done an enormous amount for my career.
"Without any doubt he has helped develop me into a better player. He gave me a chance when I needed it, stood by me and I will always thank him for that."
The clubs agreed a deal for the player last week - but the fee was not made public until Spurs issued a statement to the Stock Exchange on Monday.
The initial fee is believed to be around £13m, with the remainder of the money likely to be based upon the club's success, Carrick's international appearances and the time he remains at Old Trafford.
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Ferguson confirmed the news to the club's television channel MUTV, saying: "Michael has completed his medical, we are going to be having a press conference on Wednesday I think.
"He has settled down fine, I spoke to him today. I said to him 'I'm giving you the number 16 jersey' so he was delighted at that.
"I think that showed great courage because sometimes players are a bit superstitious about things like that but he was keen, and said he would gladly take number 16."
Carrick has two years left on his deal at White Hart Lane but rejected a new contract offer in the wake of United's persistent interest.
"This is a move that Michael wants to make," Spurs boss Martin Jol told the club's official website.
"We have given him every reason to stay but he has asked to be allowed to leave."
The sale of Carrick represents a massive profit for Spurs, who signed him from West Ham for £2.75m two years ago.
West Ham are reported to be in for a windfall when the transfer goes through, with a sell-on clause included as part of the deal that took him to White Hart Lane.
Carrick is expected to make his first United appearance in the Amsterdam tournament, probably against Porto on Friday.
The midfielder has won seven England caps, making his debut when coming on as a substitute against Mexico in 2001.
Carrick was part of England's World Cup squad but he made only one appearance in Germany this summer, in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the first game of the knockout stages.
United manager Ferguson stepped up his pursuit of Carrick once it became clear that the transfer of Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid for a reported £10.2m would go through.
However, Ferguson denied reports that he is also keen to sign Carrick's Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe.
Bernie Kingsley, of Tottenham fanzine Cock-a-Doodle-Do, told BBC Sport: "The general view among Tottenham fans is that it is a good deal. I don't think fans will be desperately upset.
"I have not spoken to anybody who, when £18.6m became available, would have spent that on Michael Carrick.
"You should not let good players go, particularly to clubs you are hoping to be competing against.
"But for that sort of money - and with midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zokora at the club - it has got to be good business."
But Mark Longden of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association told BBC Sport: "I cannot understand what is going on.
"But people have questioned Sir Alex Ferguson's judgment in the past and finished up with egg on their face and I hope it happens again."
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