Michael Carrick set to take on United coaching role

Michael Carrick has been given the option of joining Manchester United’s coaching staff “when he wants”. Manager José Mourinho, reflecting on the veteran midfielder’s recent absence due to minor heart surgery, claimed that the 36-year-old is more important “as a person” than a player, and seemed to confirm suspicions that this will be Carrick’s last season as a professional.

Quoted by the Independent, Mourinho said:

“[Carrick] knows that my coaching staff has a chair for him, if he wants, when he wants. The chair is in the office for him I want that, the board want that, the owners want that.

“Michael is in a comfortable position the future is with us. But he wants to play until the end of the season and now he feels confident to be back. He is one more option more for us.”

Carrick, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur over a decade ago, has failed to make a single Premier League appearance so far for United this season. His last league start came in May, when United were defeated 2-1 away at his former club in the penultimate game of the season.