Friends who are reunited by desire to silence critics

Graduates of the youth academy at West Ham, both have faced threats to their first-team places this season, yet both have emerged to play crucial roles in the title challenges being put together by Chelsea and Manchester United.

In their early days at West Ham, Cole was sometimes written off as a circus act, someone who could do tricks but with little finishing product.

Jose Mourinho often felt the same way, yet under new boss Avram Grant, Cole has been given a renewed vigour.

"It hurt when people said I was showing off," revealed Cole. "But I've always taken criticism well and learned from it.

"I'm really enjoying my football at the moment and think I've got better as a player the older I've got. I've been through some difficult times but I've taken confidence from them."

Carrick was always in Cole's shadow at Upton Park and suffered his own setback earlier this season when he was overlooked by new England coach Fabio Capello for his final 23 in his first game against Switzerland. He has also faced stern competition in the heart of the United engine room from new signings Owen Hargreaves and Anderson and the returning Paul Scholes.

Yet the accuracy of his passing and the protection he offers his defenders have seen him become one of the first names on Ferguson's team-sheet.

Carrick said: "I just have to get on with the job. I'd love to get into the England squad, but these matches United are playing in Europe are as big as they come, so there's no point in me getting down-hearted.

"This is definitely the best I've played for United. All through your career, you keep improving, and since I've been here, I feel I'm getting better and better. I had a good season last season and this one has gone just as well. I'm really enjoying myself."

West Ham's academy director Tony Carr believes that Cole was the dominant one as both tried to make their mark in the professional game.

"There was a lot of hype surrounding Joe right from the start because of the sort of eye-catching talent he possessed while Michael was left to quietly develop as a young player," said Carr.

"Because of the media attention, Michael was in Joe's shadow a bit in those early days but it never seemed to bother him that much."

But Jimmy Hampson, West Ham's head of recruitment and mentor of both men, remembers the pair as equally talented, with neither dominant.

"We didn't think that way on the staff," he said. "From the start we thought Joe and Michael were exceptional young players. They were different but both special in their own way.

"Michael did lack a bit physically when he was a young lad but both he and Joe always worked hard and matured as they went along."

"They're both still very different as players now but as lads they haven't changed much."

Cole is in front of Carrick again at the moment, with two championship winners medals to his rival's one. By full-time tomorrow, Carrick will be hoping he has gone a long way to redressing the balance.