Micah Hamilton has struggled for regular playing time under Michael Carrick following his transfer to Middlesbrough.
In something of a surprise move, Middlesbrough signed Micah Hamilton from Manchester City during the 2024 summer transfer.
The 20-year-old was being slowly integrated into the first-team picture by Pep Guardiola and impressed in the Champions League for the Sky Blues in 2023/24.
However, Middlesbrough paid £3.5m to Man City for Hamilton, with a large part of that fee made up of add-ons.
Boro News understands that if the the Premier League champions wanted to re-sign the attacking midfielder, Man City would have to pay Middlesbrough around £11m for Hamilton.
At present though, it is unlikely Guardiola is itching to bring the Englishman back to the Etihad Stadium as he is yet to show his best form in a Boro shirt.
Hamilton made his debut for the Teessiders during the 3-0 drubbing of Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, coming off the bench for the final nine minutes, but has struggled for regular playing time following his first appearance.
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Michael Carrick explains why Micah Hamilton is not starting for Middlesbrough
Following his debut, the ex-Sky Blue has featured in four Championship fixtures for the Teessiders.
But he is yet to start a league match, with his longest cameo off the bench lasting just 22 minutes versus Derby County on August 17th.
The one and only match Hamilton has started since his summer switch was the 5-0 loss to Stoke City in the Carabao Cup, in which he was hooked after 63 minutes.
Given Hamilton was Boro’s second most expensive signing of the summer, fans are likely wondering why he has seen so little action early in 2024/25.
Now, as per Teesside Live, Michael Carrick has explained why the winger is not playing too often, stressing the importance of patience and picking the right moment to hand young players like Hamilton their chance.
He said: “Micah has just been at City for a long period of time and is now experiencing a completely new environment for the first time. So there are differences [with Morgan Rogers].
“But in terms of younger players, being patient with them, picking the right moment to put them in the team, or give them a rest; when’s the right moment to look after them and help them etc, it’s all part of their development and it’s part of what we enjoy doing here to a degree.
“We feel Morgan is an example of where we’ve done that well and our record in that is not bad so far. Micah is right in that bracket and I’m sure we’ll get the best out of him and he’ll have a good season.”
Why Middlesbrough do not need to rush Micah Hamilton development
Signing a player from a top club like Manchester City is always exciting for a team like Boro.
And while fans of the North East outfit are likely keen to see Hamilton become a regular feature, there is no need for Carrick to rush the player’s development.
Hamilton can play all across the front line but has primarily been deployed on the right in his limited appearances this season.
Right-wing is arguably Boro’s strongest position in terms of quality depth right now, especially as Marcus Forss is back in Middlesbrough training ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Sunderland.
Outside of Forss and Hamilton, Carrick has Isaiah Jones and Liverpool loanee Ben Doak competing for a starting berth on that flank.
Jones is an experienced Championship player and Doak is only at Middlesbrough until the end of the season.
So, as Hamilton should have a long-term future at the Riverside, it is crucial Carrick does not rush his integration into the starting line-up, and the options already available to the Boro boss means he can take his time when it comes to developing the former City man.