Manchester United fans have been greeted with the news of midfielder Michael Carrick extending his contract, just days after the Europa League victory over Ajax. The future of the veteran was uncertain with his contract expiring in the next couple of weeks. However, he will now remain at Old Trafford until next summer, as per the club’s official website. The 35-year-old may not get much first-team opportunities going forward, but there can be no doubt that his influence on the first team will grow even further.
United are expected to open the wallet in the summer transfer window with reports (The Mail) suggesting that Jose Mourinho has a £300 million transfer kitty in order to improve the squad in almost every area. Apart from signing a couple of forward players like Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku, the club will also look to strengthen the midfield and defence.
Carrick was expected to be on the fringes of the first-team even back in the 2016-17 season. But it is remarkable to see the midfielder having made 18 starts in the Premier League alone. He ended up in racking up more than 1600 minutes of league action. Carrick has been at United since 2006 when he joined the club as an £18 million signing from Tottenham. Many questioned Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to spend such a huge amount of money (back then) on a midfielder who had been viewed as a hit or miss by many critics. Yet, the 35-year-old has managed to become one of the important players at the club in the last 10 years.
After learning from the master himself (Paul Scholes), Carrick has made a name for himself in the midfield once the United legend retired from football.
In his decade-long service at Old Trafford, Carrick has managed to win five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups, one Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, and most recently the Europa League. He remains as one of the most successful midfielders in the club’s Premier League history. As someone who has made more than 700 career appearances, his experience will be vital in the United squad, which prepares to make a Champions League return next season.
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