Manchester United's Michael Carrick confirms retirement at end of season

Manchester United's Michael Carrick has confirmed this will be his last season as a player. The midfielder may stay at Old Trafford after the season as part of Jose Mourinho's coaching staff. 

The club captain told a news conference on Monday: "There comes a time, whether you like it or you don't like it, that your body tells you it is time to stop playing football. That's pretty much where I'm at. It's something that you have got to accept."

Carrick has made just three starts since undergoing a heart procedure in September.  Carrick has played a limited role for United this season after undergoing a routine heart procedure following a League Cup tie with Burton in September.

He has since started FA Cup games against Yeovil and Huddersfield and, ahead of the Champions League round-of-16 second leg with Sevilla at Old Trafford on Tuesday. 

"I wanted to finish on my own terms so I was determined to get back fit. I've been training hard and we'll see what happens for the rest of the season," said Carrick. 

The 36-year-old  arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006. 

Unite manager Jose Mourinho has said he would be keen to add Carrick to his first-team coaching staff and the former England international admits there is a good chance he could be on the bench from next season.

He added: "It's kind of been sorted out, but we're still talking about it so there is nothing to totally confirm yet. It's looking likely."