Saturday 25 November 2017 19:21, UK
Jose Mourinho has offered Michael Carrick a place on his coaching staff once the Manchester United captain retires from playing.
The 36-year-old has been out since September's 4-1 win over Burton in the Carabao Cup, his first and only competitive appearance since being named United skipper.
Carrick's absence remained a mystery until he announced on Friday evening that he had felt odd during that match, with tests leading him to be diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm.
The midfielder had a cardiac ablation to correct the problem and is now "healthy" and focused on making his comeback for United, who he watched beat Brighton 1-0 from the Old Trafford directors' box on Saturday.
Mourinho publicly threw his support behind Carrick after the Premier League win and hopes Carrick will join his backroom staff once his playing days are over.
"Michael as a person is more important than Michael as a player, so we gave him the time to relax, to recover and to feel confident," said Mourinho.
"To make the decision he wants to play, he wants to stop [and take a break]. He knows that my coaching staff has a chair for him if he wants, when he wants.
"The chair is there in the office for him. I want that, the board wants that, the owners want that, so Michael is in a comfortable situation if his future will be with us.
"But he wants to be a player until the end of the season and now he feels confident to be back training.
"[He is] one more option for us. We need players and if Michael wants, I am happy with that."
