CARRICK: MY BODY’S TELLING ME TO PACK IN

MICHAEL CARRICK has confirmed he will retire from playing at the end of the season after 12 years at Manchester United.

The 36-year-old, who had surgery earlier this season to address an irregular heartbeat, has decided to bring the curtain down on his glittering career.

“There comes a time, wether you like it or not, that your body tells you it’s time to stop playing football,” said Geordie Carrick. “That’s pretty much where I’m at. It’s something you’ve got to accept.” Carrick, who won five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup and three League Cups with United, has taken up a role within Mourinho’s coaching staff.

“It’s kind of been sorted out, but we’re still talking about it, so there’s nothing to confirm yet,” he added. “But it’s looking likely.”

Recalling the heart problem that afflicted him in September, Carrick (above) said: “I had a problem during the Burton game in the second half.

“I had a few tests after that and the same problem came back on the Sunday of that week in training.

“I had the procedure the following week.

“It took a little while to get over.

“There were some times there, two or three days, when I wondered whether I would carry on playing or not, asking myself, ‘Is it worth it or not?’

“But that quickly passed and I got back fit.

“I wanted to finish on my own terms, so I was determined to get fit.

“I’ve been training hard and we’ll see what happens for the rest of the season.”