Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are wondering how Jose Mourinho is going to replace the retiring Michael Carrick, a role that has some big boots to fill.

After Paul Scholes’ retirement came the emergence of Carrick, a masterful midfielder to spray the ball around the park and make United tick. The pair were similar in a sense that they always seemed to have acres of space around them to make the right decisions and since, Carrick has been a fixture during United’s glory years during Sir Alex Ferguson’s last period in charge.

However, this era is coming to an end come May and many of the regulars will be sad to see him retire. Indeed, Mourinho has lent on Carrick over the past 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, in which it is going to be hard to replace but our landlord, after much discussion with the local Mancs, thinks he has come up with an ideal three-man shortlist…

Jorginho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgFcIxzihTU

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

Jorginho is happy to sit back and let the ball do the work and, with his immense 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 young and is more than comfortable grabbing a goal alongside assisting his team, which will more than please Mourinho.

Daniel Parejo

Daniel Parejo is Valencia’s key man to opening up a defence and has been for many years, proving crucial in their strong start to the La Liga 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 the final third of the pitch.

He is as comfortable going forward as he is in his defensive duties, which would surely please Mourinho very much. The Spaniard is a tricky character and often gets fouled, which then gives him a chance to highlight his superb set-piece qualities.

Toni Kroos

The Real Madrid centre-midfielder seems to be the ideal replacement for the retiring Michael Carrick. Having nearly joined United in the past, a move to Old Trafford seems inevitable for the German star and one that would be widely welcomed by the Red Devils.

Should Kroos choose to make the move this summer from Madrid to Manchester, it could be the missing link that United have long needed to turn themselves into true title contenders.