Report: Jose Mourinho to Seek Michael Carrick Advice on Summer Midfield Targets

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly asked Michael Carrick to assess the club's midfield targets for the summer transfer window ahead of the Englishman joining his backroom staff. 

Carrick, 36, is set to retire from playing at the end of the season to join Mourinho's coaching team, and the Portuguese has already set him to work in finding his own replacement, per Sean Kearns in Metro.

United need at least one additional midfielder this summer to fill Carrick's boots, and perhaps two if Marouane Fellaini doesn't sign a new deal, and targets include Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred, Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Napoli's Jorginho, added Kearns. 

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Mourinho's summer signings will be crucial in how United fare in closing the gap to Manchester City next season in the Premier League.

He likely feels few are better placed than Carrick to work out who will fit well into the current Red Devils side given the former Tottenham Hotspur man has been at Old Trafford for 12 years.

He has barely played this season, making just three starts in cup competitions and playing 24 minutes in the Premier League. 

Carrick announced his plans to retire back in March and confirmed he would join the coaching team at Old Trafford.

Mourinho handed Carrick the club captain's armband last summer after Wayne Rooney departed for Everton.

And it seems he is already giving him more responsibility as United look to make effective additions in the summer.

If Mourinho trusts Carrick's opinion enough to have him play a role in transfer policy then the pair could well form an excellent partnership as the former England international makes his first steps into coaching.