Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick insists he never contemplated leaving the club this summer, despite addition of two new central midfield players.
Last season, Manchester United lost just one of their 17 games when Michael Carrick started. When fit, the English central midfielder was the first choice at the club.
However, the summer overhaul at the club following a fourth place finish last season has seen the arrival of two new central midfield player – Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin.
Carrick to continue at Old Trafford
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The arrival of the new players in their role might lead some players to look elsewhere, especially if they want to feature regularly at 34 years of age. But Carrick welcomes the competition and is looking to stay at the club.
He was quoted saying by ESPN FC when asked about interest in him from other sides over the summer: “Yes, [but leaving] is not something I thought about at all. It has never been an issue.”
“At this stage, you just have to judge it year by year,” Carrick said when quizzed about whether he could carry on playing next season.
“Looking at the players who have been here in the past that is what they have done when they reached this age. They have gone year-on-year and played for a long time. At the moment I feel fine and great, it just depends how it goes.”
Carrick welcomes competition
The competition for the central midfield place has really intensified at Manchester United following recruitment of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. And Carrick has welcomed the new additions.
He said: “We have brought in some really good players this summer. There has always been that competition in the squad.
“There always has been even though people have been talking about buying a midfielder for many a year. There is always competition. That is what brings out the best in players. It has done over the years and I’m sure it will this season.”
Manchester United travel to Aston Villa on Friday night before taking on Club Brugge in midweek in the final UEFA Champions League qualifying round.