Saturday 20 January 2018 10:36, UK
Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season and join Manchester United's coaching staff, says Jose Mourinho.
The midfielder, who has played just once this campaign in a Carabao Cup tie against Burton, was offered a place on Mourinho's coaching staff in November.
Carrick, 36, was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm following tests last year but has had a procedure to correct the issue and is now back in training and has not given up on a return to the United side.
When asked if Carrick was planning on taking up the offer a coaching role, Mourinho said: "When he wants [it], yes."
But the United boss is expecting Carrick to feature on the field before joining him in the dugout.
"[He's had] a few months without even training so now he is in his second week of training with the team," Mourinho added.
"[He's a] very important player for us. I think the decision - to be [made] at the end of the season and not last week - is a good decision for the team and a good decision for him to finish playing football and not injured or with some problem.
"So we are all happy and in the end of the season I expect him to join, unless he changes his mind, but the club would be very happy for him to do that. I would be very happy also for him to do that."
