CARRICK HEART SURGERY

Shock as veteran United star reveals cardiac treatment

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Michael Carrick has had minor surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat, it was revealed last night.

Carrick, 36, has not played since complaining of feeling sick and dizzy after the Carabao Cup tie against Burton Albion on September 20, his only appearance of the season.

A team of paramedics at Old Trafford was rushed to the dressing-room area with an electrocardiogram unit so United’s medical staff could check for problems with Carrick’s heart.

He was among the substitutes for the following game against Southampton, but was fitted with a monitor in training and it revealed an irregular heartbeat which can be life threatening if left untreated.

Carrick was referred to a cardiologist at the Alexandra Hospital in Manchester — where Sir Alex Ferguson had a pacemaker fitted in 2003 — and had a cardiac ablation. The procedure involves tubes being threaded through the body and into the heart to destroy the tissue that causes the problem. The father of two is expected to make a full recovery and hopes to be back in action in the final Champions League group game against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday week. It is understood that Carrick (left) who signed a new 12- month contract at United in the summer to extend his career at the club into a 12th year, had been experiencing dizziness after training for some time. United have remained

silent over his situation for several weeks, with the England midfielder’s continued absence being attributed to a calf injury.

But Carrick confirmed the news in a statement last night, saying: ‘I just want to clear up my situation as I’ve had quite a few people asking why I haven’t been fit over the last couple of months.

‘After feeling strange during the second half of the Burton game in September I underwent a series of tests. It turned out to be an irregular heart rhythm which has been fully investigated and I had a procedure called a cardiac ablation.

‘I had to build up training steadily whilst being monitored closely but I feel fine now. I would like to reassure everyone that I’m healthy and back training hard with the team. I’m building up my fitness and aiming to be back in contention for selection soon. Thanks for your support.’

Carrick has also had a bout of flu and was said to be ‘a bit down’ because he was unable to contribute to the team, but is happier now he is nearing full fitness.

Meanwhile, United legend Eric Cantona says he would like to see Pep Guardiola as manager and cannot understand why the job was given to Jose Mourinho.

This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Cantona’s arrival at United from Leeds. The iconic Frenchman expects Mourinho to add to the two trophies he won in his first season, but believes the Portuguese coach’s brand of football does not fit the ‘identity’ of United in the same way that Guardiola’s would.

‘I just cannot understand why Manchester United takes on a manager who plays in a defensive way,’ said Cantona. ‘The football I played and the football Sir Alex Ferguson played, and Sir Matt Busby before, it was very creative.

‘I prefer the way Guardiola plays and I would prefer to have him as manager of Manchester United. It’s more logical.’