Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that Michael Carrick will need replacement at the end of this Premier League season.

The veteran is set to retire after the current campaign and is aiming to join the club’s backroom staff after his manager’s insistence.

Mourinho is intelligently still looking to make use of Carrick’s experience and knowledge of the club even after he’s no longer a player.

The Englishman has had some fitness issues this season but has recently returned to the first team much to the delight of fans.

For supporters, this is their last season of seeing Michael doing what he does best and he will surely be sorely missed but his manager is looking to the future.

According to The Sport Review, Jose said to Sky Sports: “We need to sign a midfield player because we are going to lose Michael Carrick.

“Of course we need balance in the team and I said that months ago. You can accuse me of many things but you cannot say I lie to you.

“When I don’t want to say things, I don’t say, but I don’t take you in other directions. So I told you we don’t want to sign any strikers or wingers, and yes we are looking for a midfield player.”

Michael Carrick is one the club’s several midfielders but losing him could prove costly, not only because of his experience and ability but also because of the numbers United need in the engine room.

Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay make up the other midfield options that Jose Mourinho has.

However, Fellaini has reportedly agreed to move to Turkey and Herrera has been heavily linked with a move to AC Milan after his uninspiring form.

McTominay is a youngster not yet able to be relied on consistently leaving Mourinho with just Pogba and Matic as the club’s options next season.

With rumours that Jose wishes to play a 4-3-3 formation in the next campaign, the Red Devils are looking horribly short of numbers in midfield.