This year’s League Cup and Europa League winners Manchester United have announced that veteran midfielder Michael Carrick has agreed to a new one-year deal, extending his contract with the club until 2019.
Carrick’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of June – and many fans and pundits alike have become worried this season could be the midfield general’s last season at the club, as he stated in the media just a few weeks ago that he didn’t want to sign a new deal “just for the sake of it.”.
But now it seems the two parties have come to an agreement and the former West Ham midfielder couldn’t be more pleased with it, stating in the club’s official website, “I am delighted that my journey with this great club is going to continue.”
That journey is now set to last for at least 12 years, after signing a new deal with the club. The 35 year old joined Manchester United back in June 2006, touted by then manager Sir Alex Ferguson to replace the departing Roy Keane. Carrick undeniably had big shoes to fill in replacing such an iconic midfielder for the club, but the Wallsend native took it in stride and did well for the Red Devils ever since his arrival.
True enough, the midfielder made a total 52 appearances for United in his first season with the club, which shows how he was highly valued by Ferguson back then. And such trust was certainly not without merit. In the years that followed, the former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United midfielder would go on to have a fantastic career with the Old Trafford outfit, winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three League Cups, six Community Shields, a Champions League medal, Club World Cup, and just recently, a Europa League medal.
Such an illustrious career proves just how much of a workhorse the player is in midfield. His work rate is nearly unrivalled and closely compares to many legends like Paul Scholes and Andrea Pirlo. Indeed, the numbers don’t lie: Just this season, Manchester United have only lost two of the 23 matches they had with Carrick in the first team in the league – a 9% loss rate compared to 20% when Carrick was not in the team, truly earning him the name Mr Indispensable.
“He is one of the true professionals of the game,” United manager Jose Mourinho said. “Not only is he a great footballer, he is also a fantastic human being and a great role model to our younger members of the team.”
With such a list of accomplishments, and because of his admirable loyalty to the club, Manchester United are set to honour Carrick with a testimonial Match on Sunday, 4 June.
“My focus now is looking ahead to my testimonial match next Sunday,” Carrick said.
The midfielder added, “It will be a very proud moment for me and my family, and is the perfect way to top what has already been a great season. I am thrilled that the fans will also get to see our shiny new Europa League trophy on the day.”