Carrick signs one-year extension with United

MANCHESTER: Michael Carrick has signed a one-year extension with Manchester United, ending speculation over whether the England midfielder would remain at Old Trafford when his current deal expired in the close-season.
Carrick had a clause in his deal that gave the Premier League team an option to activate a one-year extension at any point, a move United boss Louis van Gaal has now approved after several impressive performances from the 33-year-old in recent weeks.
“He is important,” said van Gaal of Carrick on Friday.
“He can read the game as a player on the pitch so he can coach during the game but he can improve that, I think.
“And he is also a midfielder who can play the ball forwards and that I like because our aim is always passing the ball more forwards than sideways or backwards.
“And he is my second (vice) captain, he is an important man for my selection. Wayne Rooney is my first captain and Michael Carrick is my second captain and that says enough what I think about those players.”
Carrick missed the opening two and a half months of the current campaign with an ankle injury, but has bounced back impressively to make an important contribution to United’s improved form.
“It’s fantastic to know that I can continue my incredible journey with this great club,” he said.
“I am thoroughly enjoying my football and the team are progressing in the right direction under Louis van Gaal.
“We are all incredibly focused on getting this club back to where it belongs and competing with the best teams in the world.”