Carrick shows his class in final bow for United
It was a fitting finale to a glittering Manchester United career and a reminder of the challenge Jose Mourinho faces trying to find a replacement midfielder of comparable class and character.
Old Trafford has witnessed Michael Carrick fashion many a goal with a measured pass and there was a particular satisfaction felt inside the ground as the veteran midfielder rolled back the years with one majestic swipe of that right boot to produce a subdued game’s stand-out moment on his 464th and final appearance for the club.
Juan Mata was the grateful recipient of the ball and squared for Marcus Rashford to side-foot into an empty net.
Victory over Watford moved United up to 81 points, 12 more than last season, but Manchester City’s win at Southampton saw the champions chalk up 100 points and, in doing so, supplant United as the club with the biggest title-winning margin in Premier League history.
City finishe an eye-watering 19 points ahead of second-placed United, eclipsing the 18-point winning margin Sir Alex Ferguson’s United side held over Arsenal in 1999-2000.
The day, though, was about Carrick. He entered the pitch to a guard of honour, a touching tribute from his team-mates and a surprise to the 36-year-old, who was accompanied by his children, Louise and Jacey, both of whom were wearing United shirts marked ‘Daddy 16’.
He left in the 85th minute to a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful, saddened to lose such a great servant but reassured that he will still be around to impart his wisdom as a member of Mourinho’s coaching staff.
With Rui Faria announcing he will leave United after the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday, Mourinho said he would operate without an assistant manager next season and instead restructure his existing staff to include Carrick.
Mourinho said Carrick will be asked for his input over who should replace him in midfield. Whoever they pick will have big shoes to fill.
“I will organise my coaching staff in a way where the assistant manager figure doesn’t exist,” Mourinho said. “I am going to have assistant coaches, I am going to have fitness coaches and a structure where they have specialists in different areas connected to the performance analysts.
“When Rui is leaving after 17 years, I have nobody in the world of football ready to be my assistant manager, so I prefer to educate people. I am going to improve my staff in the performance level and, in relation to the tactical work, I am going to bring some people that until this moment have not come with me yet.
“It’s difficult [to lose Faria] because he’s my friend. I never had a brother, I had a sister who passed away many years ago, and if I have to say it is this kid [Faria] that is my closest family.
“The moment [Carrick] is my assistant, he participates in the process