TheCable

Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick, has announced he will be retiring from playing football at the end of the season.

On the eve of Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match against Sevilla, the 36-year old made the decision known when quizzed by journalists.

“I think it’s pretty much already been said, to be honest with you, there comes a time when, as much as you like or don’t like it, your body tells you it’s time to stop playing football,” the former Swindon Town FC loanee started.

“That’s pretty much where I’m at, which is fine. It’s something you have to accept. That’s where I’m at,” the West Ham United youth product stated.

Carrick has been restricted to only four games this season after he was diagnosed of an irregular heart rhythm earlier in the season, a condition which he said formed a major part in his decision to retire.

“After the heart issue, I had two or three days thinking ‘am I going to carry on?’ I got back fit and wanted to finish on my own terms.

“I need to keep myself fit and ready. Hopefully I can get some game time and I am still enjoying training. I am trying to help a lot more because I understand where I am at,” he concluded.

Carrick, who is a former England international, joined the Red Devils from Tottenham in 2006 when United’s retired veteran manager, Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to swapped White Hart Lane for the Old Trafford. Signed for £18 million, he has played 463 times for the Mancunians and also represented England 38 times, named in the Three Lions’ squad to both Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM tournaments but did not play a single minute. He, however, won 12 major trophies with Man United, including the 2008 UEFA Champions League.