Michael Carrick has today confirmed that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season and retire from playing.

The 36-year-old Manchester United midfielder, has enjoyed a wonderful career in English football, but will retire at the end of the season following repeated heart problems:

"There comes a time when your body tells you stop playing football and that's pretty much where I am at now," said Carrick.

Carrick was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United from Tottenham for £14m in 2006, and has made over 450 appearances for the #RedDevils since then.

However, the midfielder has had injury issues and health problems recently and underwent surgery to address a heart murmur earlier this season. As a result of his heart condition he has been limited to just four appearances this season under Jose Mourinho.

Despite not being in manager Jose Mourinho's regular first team plans this season, the Portuguese boss has previously stated that an offer is on the table for Carrick to take up a first-team coaching role at the end of the season.

A fantastic career comes to an end

Carrick started his professional career at West Ham, where he joined as a youth player, going on to make over a 150 appearances for the Hammers in Division One (The Championship), before moving up to what is now the Premier League, to Tottenham in 2004.

Carrick joined Spurs for around £3.5m, and made 64 appearances, scoring twice, before he secured his move to Old Trafford in 2006.

Since then Carrick has never looked back and has gone on to win five Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United. His efforts for the side and long service also earned him the role of club captain following Wayne Rooney's transfer to Everton in the summer.

Carrick has played 463 times for United in a successful league career, but he has also won 34 England caps during his time in the game. Despite these international appearances, the midfielder has only made one appearance at a major tournament for England, often being overlooked in favour of the likes of Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard.

Nevertheless last season's Europa League triumph completed Carrick's collection of domestic and European club trophies, having already won five #Premier League trophies, one FA Cup, three League Cups, six FA Community Shields, a #Champions League and a Club World Cup.

During his tenure at United the Newcastle-born midfielder has scored 24 goals and has already been given a testimonial by the club, which took place last June.
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