Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are wondering how Jose Mourinho is going to replace the retiring Michael Carrick.

After Paul Scholes, came the emergence of Carrick, a wonderful midfielder to spray the ball around the park and make United tick. Always seeming to have acres of space around them to make the right decisions, Carrick has been a fixture amid United’s success during Sir Alex Ferguson’s last period in charge.

However, this era is coming to an end come May and many of the punters will be sad to see him retire. Indeed, Mourinho has lent on Carrick over the 18 months when he could in the midfield to simplify the game with so many pacy youngsters around him all desperate to move forward as quickly as possible.

So, if Mourinho wants this type of player in his time going forward, it is going to be hard to replace but our landlord, after much discussion with the locals, thinks he has come up with an ideal two-man shortlist…

Jorginho

The Napoli midfielder is a master of the short and simple passing. So far this season, he tops the table for short passing accuracy and is a lynchpin of the Serie A side’s table-topping form.

Jorginho is happy to sit back and let the ball so the work and, with his range of vision, United could have another player on their hands that can make easy work for his teammates around him.

The Italian is still only 26 and is happy grabbing a goal alongside assisting his team, so would be a wonderful conductor in this side.

Daniel Parejo

Daniel Parejo is Valencia’s key man to opening up a defence and has been for years, proving crucial in their strong start to the campaign. Indeed, he’s scored seven goals and given six assists to his team and is one of the main men around Europe for key passes in an attack.

As much as he enjoys going forward, he is as comfortable in his defensive duties, which would surely please Mourinho very much. The Spaniard is a tricky character and often gets fouled, which then highlights his superb set-piece qualities.