5 possible replacements for Manchester United's Michael Carrick

Jose Mourinho has begun his hunt for a heir to Michael Carrick after confirming that the legend would join his management team in the summer. Carrick will turn 37-years-old this summer and the Englishman will hang his boots after winning everything with United at club level.

Carrick has lifted five Premier League trophies with Manchester United during his 12 year spell with the club. His sublime passing range and reading of the game was unmatched in the country.

The void left by the English sensation would be hard to fill at the Old Trafford, however, the replacements need to be lined up for the departing United skipper and scouting for the required acquisitions in the engine room has already begun.

That said, let's take a look at the players who could prove to be an ideal replacement for Carrick at the Theater of Dreams.

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#5 Scott McTominay

The youngster has been promoted up the ranks at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have discovered one of the finest midfielders of his age in Scott McTominay. The Scottish has been a gem for Mourinho in a season where United have been facing problems in the heart of the pitch.

The 21-year-old was arguably United's best player on the pitch after David de Gea against Sevilla. Mourinho's reported rift with Paul Pogba has seen the youngster's game time increase substantially at Old Trafford.

The player has made 17 appearances for United this season and has been impressive to watch so far. His physicality and the driving runs forward have proved to be of a great use to the Portuguese manager.

Carrick, himself tipped the youngster to be his successor at the club. McTominay is a bright prospect for United and has a great playing career lying ahead of him.

#4 Julian Weigl

Weigl has been impressive in the Bundesliga this season.

Borussia Dortmund have always boasted the brightest crop of young talent in world football, however, they never manage to keep hold of those players, given their financial restraints.

Julian Weigl appears to be one of the lots so mentioned. The German midfielder has 24 appearances for his team this season so far. His precision and passing accuracy makes him a vital player in the heart of the midfield.

The 22-year-old is a brilliant reader of the game, his interceptions and concentration on the pitch could prove something of a high importance at Man United.

Reports are also claiming that Mourinho has had scouts sent to Germany to watch the player closely. The United boss has publicly expressed his desire to sign at least two midfielders this summer.

A fee close to £40 million is understood to be moving enough for the German side to budge into selling the player.

#3 Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos has been the key to Real's success in recent years.

The German midfielder needs absolutely no introduction to the football fans. Toni Kroos is certainly the best midfielder in the business at the moment. The midfield maestro has been in sensational form in the past few years for both club and country.

Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 from Bayern Munich, in what was the club's biggest mistake in the transfer market. The central midfielder has been instrumental to Real's back to back Champions League titles in the past couple of years.

The Madrid player has impressively won everything at club and country level for a player at the age of 28. His reading of the game, passing accuracy and positioning are simply commendable.

In Kroos, United would finally get a player who can provide their forwards a "Michael Carrick long-ball". Reports in England already claim that a swap deal for De Gea and Kroos is being mapped out at Old Trafford.

If in any way United manage to secure the signatures of the world-cup winner, they would be trumped to be the masters of the summer transfer market.

#2 Matteo Kovacic

The Croatian is struggling for game time in Spain.

Yet another Los Blancos midfielder on the list. No wonder the Spanish champions are accused of having too much talent enveloped their side.

Kovacic joined Real Madrid in 2015 from Inter Milan and appeared to be a promising talent for the club. In no time, the Croatian proved his credentials and knocked at the manager's doors for more opportunities.

The midfielder has, however, not managed to feature regularly in a Real side already studded with superstars. Reports suggest that the 23-year-old is frustrated with his lack of game time and could be looking for a move away from the Spanish capital.

No sooner than news broke, the Premier League clubs showcased their interest for the Real Madrid man. Manchester United, of course, being one of them and reportedly leading the race.

Kovacic would definitely be the right man for Mourinho's style of football. His ability to penetrate the opposition midfield and dictate the tempo of the game would prove essential at Old Trafford.

#1 Jorginho

The 26-year-old is a highly rated midfielder in Italy.

Jorginho may not be a name as popular as the former two on the list but the Napoli midfielder is the most attainable target for United. He is currently regarded as the best central midfielder in the Italian Serie A.

The Italian midfielder is a sublime passer of the ball. From the base of midfield, the player has scored four and provided for another four goals this season. He possesses the ability to bypass the opposition with his pin-point balls over the top.

His precision and composure on the ball would tick the required boxes for the United manager. The Napoli man is a personal favorite for being the suitable replacement for retiring Michael Carrick.

The 26-year-old is believed to be high on demands for Mourinho this summer, though. The player's agent has himself admitted that his client's future is not certain in the Naples side.

An offer to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world would not be easy to decline for the player.