England midfielder Michael Carrick has put pen-to-paper on a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, which will see him remain at Old Trafford until June 2016.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man has made 376 appearances for United, and despite missing pre-season through injury, has been ever-present in Louis van Gaal’s set-up – first appearing for the Dutchman in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 2.
Despite suffering further injury scares with a muscular rupture ruling him out of action from the end of January, Carrick scored in his first start back last weekend in an impressive 3-0 win over former club Tottenham.
While Van Gaal recently tipped Carrick for management in the future, and suggested he could be his replacement one the 63-year-old heads out the exit door at the Theatre of Dreams, he has been keen to ensure the 33-year-old remains as a player for as long as possible.
Speaking about the latest agreement, the Manchester United boss said: "He is important because he can read the game as a player on the pitch, so he can cope during the game. He can improve that I think.
"He is a midfielder who can play the ball forwards and that I like because our aim is always passing the ball more forward than sideways or backwards, and he is a player than can do that and he is my second captain. He is an important man for my selection.
"I think every player has their own contribution. We don’t have to exaggerate things. Wayne Rooney is my first captain and Michael Carrick is my second captain. That says enough how I value these players."
Michael Carrick has made 15 league appearances this season, with one goal and two assists.