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Midfielder Carrick has been a long-time Man Utd target

Michael Carrick has completed his move from Spurs to Manchester United in a deal which could be worth �18.6m.

The 25-year-old England midfielder will be formally unveiled as a United player on Wednesday after passing a medical.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Carrick will wear the number 16 shirt, which was formerly worn by Roy Keane.

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 number remains at Old Trafford.

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."

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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.

Carrick started for England against Ecuador at the World Cup

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.

"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.

"I have not spoken to anybody who, when �18.6m became available, would have spent that on Michael Carrick.

"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."

Jol's determination to hold out for a fee that closely matched their �20m valuation of Carrick has given them more transfer cash to spend.

Jol has already signed 22-year-old Benoit Assou-Ekotto from Lens and spent �10.9m on Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov but he missed out on winger Damien Duff, who has joined Newcastle from Chelsea.

The summer signing of Ivory Coast international Zokora will make Carrick's departure somewhat less painful for Jol, who can now continue his search for a left-sided midfielder in earnest.