Michael Carrick to retire at end of season and join Manchester United coaching staff, confirms Jose Mourinho

The 36-year-old veteran has been plagued by injury and illness concerns this season and has been limited to one appearance, in the League Cup tie with Burton

The former England international underwent a minor procedure to solve an on-going heart problem last year (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Manchester United club captain Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season and will join the Old Trafford coaching staff as he pursues his post-playing career.

The 36-year-old veteran has been plagued by injury and illness concerns this season and has been limited to one appearance, in the League Cup tie with Burton.

The former England international even underwent a minor procedure to solve an on-going heart problem and Mourinho had already revealed that Carrick would be offered a coaching position with United’s first team squad whenever he wanted it.

Mourinho believes Carrick, who is back in full training, will return to the field over the second half of the season but also confirmed that the respected midfielder has indicated he wishes to accept the coaching position this summer.

“I think he will play again,” said Mourinho. “He has had a few months without even training so now he is in his second week of training with the team.

“He could be a very important player for us. I think the decision to (retire) at the end of the season and not last week, I think is a good decision for the team and a good decision for him to finish playing football and not because he is 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.”