Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 7y

Manchester United's Michael Carrick: 'Lots to be decided' about future

MANCHESTER -- Michael Carrick has cast doubt on his future at Manchester United, saying there are still "a lot of things to be decided" despite Jose Mourinho having said he will be offered a new contract.

Carrick, 35, played his 430th game for United in the EFL Cup victory over West Ham on Wednesday, moving closer to surpassing Rio Ferdinand, Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes in the club's all-time appearances list.

Having been given a one-year contract following Mourinho's arrival in the summer, he had been expected to leave at the end of this season.

But although Mourinho said last month that he wanted Carrick to play on at United next season, the former England international said it was too early to consider where he will be for the 2017-18 campaign.

"I have said all along I am relaxed about it," he said. "But it depends if I am playing and if I am playing well enough, if I feel I can contribute, if the manager feels I can contribute.

"There are a lot of things to be decided. I feel fine -- I am enjoying it still. My body is holding up. I didn't know he had said that [about a new contract], to be honest.

"Would I play for someone else? It is not something I am looking to do at the minute. It would be very difficult to play somewhere else.

"Everyone is different. It depends on circumstance. It depends on a lot of things.

"But you can't beat that buzz of winning a big game. That is what keeps you going, having success and winning trophies."

Carrick has emerged as a key figure under Mourinho, having struggled to break into the team at the start of the season.

But he said he expected to be rotated by the manager and miss some games because of his age and the options available at United.

"There are obviously a lot of games in a short space of time," he added. "He has rotated the team quite a bit.

"You just have to put yourself in a position where you can play to your strengths more often than not. You learn that from experience."

Meanwhile, Carrick paid tribute to Bastian Schweinsteiger after the German midfielder made his first appearance of the season against West Ham.

Schweinsteiger had been told to train away from the first team and look for another club during the summer, but has since been brought back into the fold.

"He got an unbelievable reception. It was great for him," Carrick said. "It was good to see him back.

"You understand all sorts of situations occur in football and you get on with it.

"Decisions are made by people. There are all sorts of ups and downs along the way. Bastian has trained well. He has trained hard. Who knows what the future will hold?"

^ Back to Top ^