3 Reasons Manchester United will miss Michael Carrick 

#3 Another symbol of the Ferguson glory era departs

It's hard to believe that Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United only five years ago as so much has happened at the club since then. Three managers, a whole bunch of expensive signings that have failed to impress and a handful of minor trophies won but still no Premier League title.

Of course, many players who played under Ferguson have left since his retirement. The quartet of Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra and Ryan Giggs left in 2014 and others have gradually left ever since, the most notable departure being Wayne Rooney last summer.

In fact, there are only 7 players left at United who featured under Ferguson: Lingard, Pogba, De Gea, Smalling, Valencia, Young and Jones. That number will dwindle over the coming years particularly as Valencia and Young are 33.

Carrick's departure further cements the fact that the Ferguson era is over and will never return which saddens the hearts of many United fans. It is in a way, like fondly remembering the carefree years of your childhood.

Carrick was such a prominent fixture under Ferguson that he will be sorely missed by United fans who eventually came to appreciate his more subtle gifts.

Carrick's link to the club's glorious recent past is another reason to mourn his departure but the main reason United fans will miss him is because of his creativity, passion and ultimately loyalty to the United cause.