It Is Time Up For This Manchester United Midfielder At Old Trafford – A Switch To Aston Villa Makes Perfect Sense

Time Up For Carrick? Why The Manchester United Legend Should Join Aston Villa And Start Playing Regularly

Aston Villa will reportedly make a move to sign Manchester United legend Michael Carrick in January. The midfielder has been finding it increasingly difficult to receive adequate playing time under Jose Mourinho, which could prompt him towards considering a winter move. The former England international has played just one game all season, which was against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup and the 36-year-old is only being isolated further.

Carrick made the switch to Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2006, and has enjoyed an illustrious career with the Red Devils thus far. The Englishman has won an impressive 5 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups, the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League with the club. He has racked up more than 450 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 24 goals during his time at the club.

However, the veteran midfielder, who has notched 34 caps for England, has seen his time on the field get quite limited over the last two seasons.

Nemanja Matic arrived in the summer and the ex-Chelsea star has established himself at the heart of Manchester United’s midfield, with Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera all favoured ahead of Carrick. Even with key players Pogba and Fellaini injured, Mourinho did not start Carrick even in a single game. Instead, he chose to field youngster Scott McTominay, who just keeps going from strength-to-strength.

Thus, seeking an exit from United to play more does seem like a good option for Carrick, making Aston Villa a likely destination. They did sign the experienced Glenn Whelan in the summer transfer window and have fellow 33-year-old defensive-minded midfielder Mile Jedinak nearing a return. However, Carrick could see better chances of playing more often at Aston Villa.

Having said that, it is likely that Carrick would prefer staying back in the Premier League, thus making the move to Villa sound quite surprising, as it would see him drop to the Championship. However, Villa have shown that they are prepared to pay big wages for veteran players such as Whelan, John Terry and even loanee Robert Snodgrass, and manager Steve Bruce may see Carrick’s experience as vital to his chances of promotion back to the Premier League.

It will undoubtedly be a sad moment for the Manchester United faithful to see a legendary player like Carrick depart – months after the infamous exit of Wayne Rooney – but then this is what will possibly be best for the player and the club.