Michael Carrick to retire at end of season and join Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at Manchester United

JOSE Mourinho has confirmed that Manchester United will lose a midfielder to retirement at the end of the season.

Manchester United's English midfielder Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season and join Manchester United’s coaching staff, says Jose Mourinho.

The midfielder, who has played just once this campaign in a Carabao Cup tie against Burton, was offered a place on Mourinho’s coaching staff in November.

The 36-year-old was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm following tests last year but has had a procedure to correct the issue and is now back in training and has not given up on a return to the United side.

When asked if Carrick was planning on taking up the offer a coaching role, Mourinho said: “When he wants [it], yes.”

Manchester United's English midfielder Michael Carrick

But the United boss is expecting Carrick to feature on the field before joining him in the dugout.

“[He’s had] a few months without even training so now he is in his second week of training with the team,” Mourinho added.

“[He’s a] very important player for us. I think the decision - to be [made] 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 in 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.”

Originally published as Michael Carrick to retire at end of season and join Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at Manchester United