CAPTAIN LEAVER, LEGEND
Jose: Michael will be my skipper and I will take im off so he can feel the emotion on the crowd
MICHAEL CARRICK will lead Manchester United out for the final time tomorrow, as he brings the curtain down on his glittering playing career.
Reds skipper Carrick, who is retiring to join the club’s coaching staff, will make his 464th and final appearance for United as he bows out at Old Trafford. Carrick, who joined from Tottenham for £16million in 2006, won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, Club World Cup and three League Cups during his successful 12-year spell. Although Carrick will start, boss Jose Mourinho revealed he will take him off at some stage in the second-half against Wat so the midfielder can bask in acclaim of the United crowd.
“He’s going to start the match captain,” said Mourinho.
“He’s not going to end the m because I want him to leave pitch alone, and I want him to what the Manchester Un supporters feel in relation to him
“I’m not so sad as I normally when my players end their ca because he’s going to be with us
“He’s going to be even closer t than he was as a player, so it’s ju emotional moment because it’s end of a career of a fantastic pla
“So he starts the match and make the change at some mom so he can leave the pitch alone.
“A big player is leaving, but a man is staying.”
Reflecting on his career at Un Carrick, 36, said the key to
enduring success at the club was down to staying humble and keeping his focus season after season.
“I’ve lived my life for this club for the last 12 years, and it’s about the sacrifices you make,” said Carrick, who also won 34 caps for England.
“It’s about working hard and keeping your feet on the ground, to keep trying to improve and be as good as you possibly can be.
“I’ve had an unbelievable time here. I just want to say thank you to everyone.
“I’ve got one more game to play and I’m quite happy with the end now. It can’t last forever, but I wish it could.
“To the fans, I’ve turned into one of you now. I support this club home and away now.
“We’ve got a great spirit, we need to keep that and we need to stick together.”