Manchester United have benefited immensely by Michael Carrick’s inclusion in the squad over the last couple of months. At the start of the campaign, the former England international was not a preference by Jose Mourinho. Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba were the preferred defensive midfield choices back then. However, this combination never really took off and Manchester United struggled in the early part of the season. Only after Carrick was restored to the starting line-up, performances improve. At this moment, the future of the 35-year-old looks in major doubt with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
He is reportedly keen on staying at Old Trafford. Manchester United also thought to be keen on keeping the player at the club, but under one major condition – taking a pay cut. At £130,000 per week, Michael Carrick is one of the highest earners at the club. However, United are not ready to pay the same wages considering his age. United are believed to be looking at the player accepting an offer of around £70,000 a week. It will still be a huge deal compared to other offers that Carrick may receive in the Premier League, but it will be nowhere near enough offers that the former England international may receive from North American or Chinese clubs.
“Carrick could be asked to take a reduction to his salary to secure another deal. He wants to stay and by all accounts Jose has told the board similar. He is on big wages here and would have to take a cut.” A United source was quoted by the Sun
Jose Mourinho has pruned the squad over the last month with Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin being the high profile departures. Just when it seemed that Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney would also leave the club, qualification for the EFL Cup final and progression to the fifth round of the FA Cup has changed the situation. Mourinho now acknowledges that United need bodies in the squad and letting those two players leave would have been disastrous. Even though the club are going to strengthen in the summer, more departures are expected.
Carrick may not be one among them, as he has impressed Mourinho a lot in the last few months. The 35-year-old will also have a lot to provide some of the club’s younger players after having won numerous honours with the club in more than a decade. Carrick was signed from Tottenham for £18 million in the summer of 2006. Many felt that it was an expensive acquisition for United and didn’t offer value. However, there is likely to be a completely different opinion after having seen the player win five Premier league medals, one Champions League title and several other medals.
