Manchester United are yet to announce whether Michael Carrick will be offered a new deal.
The veteran is out of contract in the summer and is expected to retire if he isn’t kept on by Jose Mourinho.
The former England international joined the club in 2006 and has won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and one Champions League in that time.
However, his old manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that it could all have gone very differently.
United eventually paid Tottenham £18.5million for the midfielder, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy almost scuppered the deal.
“I must say negotiations were very difficult and went on for ages,” Sir Alex said, via the club’s official website.
“I always remember I thought it was done and [former chief executive] David Gill phoned me on the golf course to say they want more. Typical Daniel Levy!
“It was very hard to negotiate but, at the end of the day, we got it through and, ever since he joined us, he’s had a fantastic career.”
Carrick has been given a testimonial which would suggest that his time at the club is coming to an end.
Nevertheless, for this weekend’s game against West Brom, he could be United’s only fit central midfielder, and that could convince Mourinho that he is not yet surplus to requirements.
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