Michael Carrick to Retire After Season, Join Manchester United Coaching Staff

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Friday said that club captain Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season and join the club's coaching staff.

The 36-year-old has managed just one appearance for the Red Devils this season because of injury and also having undergone a procedure to correct an irregular heart rhythm. He is closing in on a return to action and should play again this season, though it will be his last campaign as a professional before he hangs up his boots.

Per James Ducker at the Daily Telegraph, Mourinho will be happy to have the midfielder join his staff, saying: 

"He's a very important player for us. I think the decision [to move into coaching] to be at the end of the season and not last week is a good decision for the team and a good decision for him to finish playing football and not injured or with some problem.

"So, we are all happy and at the end of the season I expect him to join, unless he changes his mind, but the club would be very happy for him to do that. I would be very happy also for him to do that."

Carrick joined Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006 and has had a hugely successful career at Old Trafford, as The Sportsman showed:

The midfielder is composed in possession, an excellent passer of the ball and is able to take control of games and dictate the play.

Marca's Chris Winterburn explained how Carrick's return to action will help both Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba:

However, the 36-year-old's decision to retire may mean Mourinho has to search for a replacement, particularly as Marouane Fellaini is also expected to depart in the summer upon the expiration of his United deal.

The Belgium international has already turned down a contract offer from United and has attracted interest from Valencia, Juventus and Besiktas, per The Independent's Miguel Delaney.

United are interested in OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, who could be a replacement for Carrick in midfield, per Nathan Salt for MailOnline.

The Sun's Duncan Wright believes Carrick should be viewed as one of the club's greats:

Carrick has been an excellent servant for Manchester United, and the club will hope he can successfully make the transition from player to coach in order to capitalise even further on his vast experience and understanding of the game.