Michael Carrick has extended his stay at Manchester United by one more year, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Carrick’s future at the club was in doubt as the midfielder’s contract was set to run out this month. The 34-year-old midfielder was also linked with a move to a number of clubs, despite his advanced age. A host of Premier League clubs like Arsenal, West Ham, Everton and Stoke City were said to be chasing Carrick’s signature, according to a report by the Daily Star.
Australian club Perth Glory was also said to be interested in signing the player on a lucrative deal. The first indication that Carrick was staying at United was given yesterday by Perth Glory CEO Peter Filopoulos, who claimed that his club could not sign Carrick because the England international has signed with the Red Devils.
“Perth was an option for Michael Carrick as he was going through what he was going to do in his career had he not landed a new signature with Manchester United,” Filopoulos told FourFourTwo. “We understand he’s now secured an extension with Manchester United so that’s off the table.”
Manchester United confirmed on their official Twitter account, on Thursday, that Carrick will be extending his stay at the club by another year.
.@Carras16 has agreed terms to extend his contract with #mufc for a further year! Read more: https://t.co/gM5Z2ImCx8 pic.twitter.com/mgMCEvVVQR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 9, 2016
Carrick, who has already spent a decade at Old Trafford, also expressed his delight at the fact that he will be able to work under new boss Jose Mourinho.
“This great club has been a part of my life for the past 10 years, so I am delighted that this incredible journey is continuing,” said Carrick on MUTV. “It’s great to have the opportunity to work under José Mourinho, who has achieved so much during his managerial career.”
Can’t wait to get back to work..
1 more year for this great club and hopefully more of this !!! pic.twitter.com/RQQ1U0K2OZ— Michael Carrick (@carras16) June 9, 2016
Did Mourinho just reveal Carrick’s role under him?
Jose Mourinho, who has been brought in as the new manager at Manchester United, is known to be one of the most shrewd managers around. The Portuguese would have recognised the fact that despite being 34-years-old, Carrick has been one of the most consistent performers for Manchester United last season.
In a midfield that failed to show much intent, Carrick was the one who acted as a shield ahead of the defence. Mourinho recognises this aspect of Carrick’s game, and was quick to point it out after the announcement of Carrick’s contract extension.
“Michael is a very intelligent midfielder and a great reader of the game. I am pleased that he will be extending his contract. His form this year shows his ability and his enjoyment of the game are as strong as ever,” said Mourinho.
Carrick is also one of the most experienced players that Manchester United have at the moment, along with Wayne Rooney. While the Red Devils have a number of promising young players, Mourinho knows that he needs the wise-heads in the dressing room to guide the young guns.
Thus the extension of Carrick’s contract could have been more than just a reflection on the 34-year-old’s performance on the pitch.
Mourinho may also be looking to make a few friends in the dressing room, in order to avoid the fiasco that transpired last year at Chelsea, when certain players reportedly led a mutiny against their manager. The Portuguese might be looking at Carrick as someone who will help Mourinho win over the dressing room in difficult times.
“Michael has a wealth of experience from his many years at the club and that knowledge will be invaluable to me. I am really looking forward to working with him,” Mourinho said.
As usual, Twitter was abuzz with happy Manchester United fans as the Carrick contract extension news broke. Most of the fans and pundits were quite happy that Carrick decided to extend his stay at United. Some even said they would like the former Tottenham Hotspur man to retire at the club. Here are some of the best tweets.
So glad he’s staying!????#mufc https://t.co/id5E1DiAel
— Mufc Follows Back (@MufcManUtd20) June 9, 2016
#mufc squad was desperate for Carrick to stay. Highly respected, popular and important dressing room presence. Sensible move by Mourinho.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) June 9, 2016
Michael Carrick has completed 303 interceptions over the past 5 league seasons, more than any other Man Utd player. https://t.co/t5WwuPHjdG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 9, 2016
Promising start by Jose. A semblance of a plan in summer dealings (Rashford/Bo-Jack/Bailly/Carrick). Moyes/LVG lacked decisiveness early on.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) June 9, 2016
Carrick an important box ticked by Mourinho. Well respected character within the squad.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) June 9, 2016
Tempted to call Carrick a genius. He convinces everyone he does things on a football pitch that he actually never does.
— Jack (@JackEC_mufc) June 9, 2016
I like how José gave Carrick a 1 year extension on his contract…this shows he’s being sensible & true to United’s roots ?
— JacamoFIFA (@JFUTPACKS) June 9, 2016
However, we found this one fan, who did not seem altogether pleased at Carrick’s contract extension.
Carrick staying one more ?,might as well give Fellaini a lifetime contract ?
— Hood Dude (@ThatoSenau) June 9, 2016
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