The Man Utd fans in the Transfer Tavern are feeling pretty disappointed about Michael Carrick’s revelation that he will retire from the game at the end of the season.

The Englishman has been playing for the Red Devils since 2006, and he’s made quite the contribution.

His trophy-cabinet is full to the rafters, and that’s with good reason. He has been a mainstay in the midfield for the best part of a decade, and whilst he has been underrated across England – he has always been highly valued by those in the know at Old Trafford.

Replacing him this summer, then, will be no easy feat. Jose Mourinho will be losing a huge player, both in terms of what he can do with the ball and what he can provide in the dressing room, and so he’ll need to choose wisely in his hunt for a replacement.

Nonetheless, there are options out there, though many will come at great cost – but the Red Devils are used to that.

Our landlord has found TWO potential Carrick replacements…

Toni Kroos

Kroos would be an expensive replacement, but he’d also be a massive upgrade on the English veteran.

The Real Madrid star has been controlling midfields for years, and his role at both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid cannot be understated.

A move to Old Trafford might seem unrealistic, but stranger things have certainly happened in recent years.

A midfield duo of Kroos and Paul Pogba would be mouthwatering, to say the least.

 Fabinho

Fabinho is another natural replacement for Carrick, given that he possesses many of the same traits.

The Brazilian places a heavy emphasis on passing and tackling, much like Carrick, as he looks to break up play and spring it forward.

He’s very mobile, an incredible passer of the ball, and he’s even confident driving forward to generate attacks.

A departure for him looks likely this summer, and Old Trafford is the perfect home.