I’ll be a Red Devil until retirement – Carrick

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has denied rumors that he is about to quit Old Trafford, insisting that he intends to remain at the club for the remainder of his playing career.

The 29-year-old England international has reportedly been identified as a perfect addition to the Aston Villa squad by new club manager Gérard Houllier.

However, Carrick has dismissed rumors that he is unsettled at the club and has revealed his keenness to see out his career at United.

“I have seen some stories suggesting I’d be leaving last summer but I take no notice,” he said. “It’s part of the game. I have never thought I was on my way out of United, not for one minute.

“It has never entered my mind and neither has the manager said anything to me. This is a great place to be and results like the one against Valencia make it all worthwhile when you play a part in something like that.

“I have the rest of this season and next season left on my contract and I would like to stay here for the rest of my career. Why would I want to go anywhere else?

“It’s up to me this season to work hard to earn the right to do that and to make it a reality, so the aim is to be in the team as often as I can.”

Carrick joined United from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006 after playing at West Ham United, Swindon City and Birmingham City. He has won 22 caps for England and was part of Fabio Capello’s squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.