Key English Duo to Receive Contract Extension from Jose Mourinho
Nov 21, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Though not the best possible result, Manchester United, cannot really complain about their result this weekend against an in-form Arsenal in the Premier League. Juan Mata gave them an early lead but supersub Olivier Giroud came up with a late goal for Arsenal to share the spoils with the Old Trafford outfit.
Mourinho revealed that he is not happy with the outcome of the game but hoped that they can improve on their performances in games to come. Now that the league game is over, the manager will turn his attention to other issues in the squad.
In a recent interview before the game, Jose Mourinho refrained from speaking about English defender Chris Smalling while questioning his dedication to the game. Smalling is currently nursing a toe injury that will keep him out of the game for atleast a month, but Mourinho was all over the player after he revealed that he could not play through pain.
Though the manager was embarrassed with all the saga, he is not taking it personally and is reportedly going to reward Smalling for his good work since the start of the season.
According to the Sun, Jose Mourinho all set to offer Chris Smalling a contract extension despite all the controversy between him and the Mourinho recently.
The English defender is closing on a return from injury and has been the most consistent defender for Manchester United since the start of the previous season. He is integral to the plans for the manager and it might be important for the duo to bury the controversy and move on to greater heights.
But Smalling is not the only player who might be set to renew his contract with the club.
Jose Mourinho is all set to extend the contract of veteran midfielder Michael Carrick who was superb in the stalemate against Arsenal last weekend.
He is into his last year at the club, his 10th since his move from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2016, and might turn into an important player for the club this season.
Speaking after the Arsenal game, Mourinho revealed that the 35-year old is a fantastic player and that he would have loved him to be 25. He went on to say that he knows when Carrick can be effective to the club and revealed that he wants to keep him at the club for another year.
Mourinho said, “Michael is 35 years old. It is very sad to know that time flies for every one of us. He is such a fantastic player and it is a pity, I always loved him, but instead of being his manager when he was 25 I am his manager when he is 35.”
“We have a good understanding. We know when he can play. We know when he is ready and when he needs a rest. I am still having Michael Carrick and probably for one more season,” he added.
So it will be interesting to see if Mourinho does provide him with a new contract come the end of the season when Carrick will be 36.