Manchester United captain Michael Carrick’s decision to hang up his boots after the end of the current season led the English midfielder to be feted by the who’s who of world football, with former teammate and Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney leading the tributes.
Good luck to my good friend @carras16 who is retiring at the end of the season. Great teammate and one of the best I’ve played with. Briliant career and I’m sure he will be very successful in his new role as a coach 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/K2ZByYUxz1
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) March 13, 2018
The two spent many glorious years in Manchester, over a decade in fact, as the Red Devils emerged as a dominant force in British and European football.
Coincidentally, Carrick got the captain’s armband after Rooney departed Old Trafford for his boyhood club Everton in the summer of 2017.
However, after seeing his playing time get restricted to just four appearances this season, largely due to a heart condition, the 36-year-old Carrick has decided to call time on a glittering career.
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United boss Jose Mourinho confirmed the Englishman will have a place on his coaching team once he stops playing and with Rooney tipping him for success, it seems Carrick is set to remain a part of the Red Devils beyond the ongoing season.
While he’s not officially said yes, the classy midfielder seems to be inclined to taking up Mourinho on the offer and an announcement is likely to be made in the summer regarding his future at the club.
With United out of contention in the Premier League, their sole chances of winning any silverware in Carrick’s final season lie in the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.
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The Red Devils host Sevilla in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and will then take on Swansea in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on the weekend.
Considering the stiff competition the Red Devils are likely to face in the UEFA Champions League should they beat Sevilla, the FA Cup is perhaps their most realistic hope of ensuring their 2017-18 season doesn’t end without a trophy.