Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick (L) and manager Louis van Gaal. (Photo : Getty Images)
Manchester United vice-captain Michal Carrick said that he would be "willing to stay" at the Old Trafford beyond this summer if Chelsea's former champion coach Jose Mourinho will take over managerial duties from Louis van Gaal next season.
The 34-year-old England international is set to become a free agent this offseason as his current contract with the Red Devils will expire in June. United has not yet offered him a new one and Bleacher Report indicated that the central midfielder is rumored to exit the team by then if nothing is finalized.
It was also mentioned, though, that Carrick is willing to change his mind and stay with the club he has been with for the last 10 seasons if current head coach van Gaal is sacked as he had been enduring a "difficult relationship" with the 64-year-old Dutch mentor since he was named United coach in 2014.
Fellow English Premier League sides West Ham United, Stoke City, and Everton are all said to be interested in snagging Carrick to their folds via a free transfer as soon as his deal expires, as per Caught Offside, but speculations abound that Mourinho will give him a new deal if his planned take over from van Gaal will push through.
Analysts believe that Carrick "deserves at least a one-year extension" to remain with United as he is still considered as the best in the team at his position despite the influx of new young talents in the squad. His experience and toughness during crunch time is also one of his most invaluable assets that sets him apart from his present younger teammates.
Carrick had been with United since the summer of 2006 when he was acquired from Tottenham Hotspur for a transfer fee of £14 million. He had appeared in 416 games in all competitions for the Red Devils since then, scoring 23 goals in the said time span mainly as a defensive central midfielder.
Of all the players in United's current roster, only team captain Wayne Rooney had been with the club longer than Carrick and so the relationship between the player and senior management is believed to be solid.
Carrick was also a part of five Premier League championship teams of the Manchester squad and also won one Champions League trophy with them.
