Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is looking at the exit door at Old Trafford as he still waiting for a new deal. The England international's contract will expire at the end of the next month and the Red Devils have still not handed him a new deal.
According to The Daily Mail, for United’s rescheduled fixture against Bournemouth, Carrick was accompanied by two of his daughters, Jacey and Louise, when we walked onto the pitch at Old Trafford. The tradition was previously followed by United legends Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra for their last home match in a red shirt.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United midfielder will turn 35 in July and still hopes to continue with his current employers. He is the second longest-serving player in the squad with over 400 appearances, behind captain Wayne Rooney.
Apart from Carrick, United have the services of Germany's World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, former Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Spaniard Ander Herrera in the midfield role. In addition to this, Louis van Gaal has deployed Rooney in that position and hinted that the Old Trafford legend could be playing in the centre of the pitch in the coming years.
Schweinsteiger is sidelined with an injury as he steps up his recovery to make himself available for the European championship with Germany. He missed the final fixtures of the 2015-16 season and there is concern over his long-term fitness.
This leaves United with Schneiderlin and Herrera as the two first choice midfielders. Despite Carrick's desire to continue, the Red Devils will be looking to inject young blood in the midfield area during the summer transfer window.
The 34-year-old will not be short of options, should he decide to leave United. The Daily Mail reports that United's league rivals Arsenal, Gunners’ London rivals West Ham United, Everton and Tyneside outfit Newcastle United are all interested in securing Carrick's signature.
United face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday and that could potentially be Carrick's last match for the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Van Gaal's future also remains uncertain, despite having one year left on his contract. Should the Dutchman leave, Carrick will be hoping his future could change and he could land himself a new deal under the incoming manager.