Jose Mourinho shortlists two players to replace Michael Carrick as club captain

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified Nemanja Matic and David de Gea as the prime candidates to succeed Michael Carrick as the next Red Devils captain.

The 36-year-old has already announced his decision to retire at the end of the season and he is thereafter expected to take up a coaching role with the first-team.

According to Metro, Mourinho is said to want the next captain to be a permanent fixture in the lineup and he has therefore earmarked Matic and De Gea as his preferred picks.

Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia has been the standing skipper in Carrick's absence but the Portuguese has decided against offering the Ecuadorian with the permanent role as he could drop down the pecking order next term.

Mourinho has already begun the search for new competitor to Valencia, given the right-back will have turned 33 prior to the start of the 2018/19 campaign.