Carrick Signs One-Year United Contract Extension

Michael Carrick has penned a new one-year deal at Manchester United.

The England international midfielder, 33, was due out of contract in June, but manager Louis van Gaal speaking at a media conference ahead of Sunday’s league game at Liverpool confirmed he had extended his current deal by 12 months.

“He is for me my second captain behind Wayne Rooney and he can also read the game as a team player so that’s very important,” Van Gaal said.

Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney are Man United’s First Two Captains. Image: Getty.

“He has also an excellent pass forward. I like as a manager passers forward so that’s very important for me. He is an important part of my selection.”

Carrick set up Marouane Fellaini’s opener and scored United’s second goal in the 3-0 home win against his former club Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Carrick joined the Red Devils in June 2006 and has scored 17 times in 260 Premier League appearances.

Van Gaal was delighted with his team’s performance, but he says it will count for nothing unless his men beat Liverpool in Sunday’s grudge match at Anfield.

“We played very good in the first half and it was also good to have an evaluation that is very positive,” the 63-year-old said. “It’s also good for the players. But it says nothing when you lose the next match. But the next match is against Liverpool and Liverpool is not the ground that Manchester United has won a lot (at) so when we show it again in Liverpool then we are a little bit further (along), I believe.”