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Louis van Gaal is still convinced his first season at Manchester United would have gone differently had Michael Carrick had been available more often.

There were times when the Dutchman felt his team were on the verge of seriously challenging for the Premier League title. But each time he was robbed of Carrick at what seemed like the crucial time.

United lost once last season when Carrick started. His longest runs in the team – 10 games in a row between November and January and four games in March and April – coincided with United’s best form.

He started the wins over Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City in the second half of the season that ultimately secured a place in the top four. But after hobbling off in the derby at Old Trafford he didn’t play again and United won one of their final six matches.

As he approaches his 35th birthday, he’s had to be used more sparingly this season. United’s win percentage is still better with him in the team – 50 per cent with him and 43 per cent without – and he played a crucial role in Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.

But there’s still a chance he could leave Old Trafford this summer. It was around this time last year that United announced he had signed a one-year extension. He hasn’t yet had the call this time, but he should.

Michael Carrick season in numbers 33 Appearances 25 Starts 50 Win percentage

United have got a reputation for looking after their older players. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were allowed to decide when they wanted to go. So, too, was Gary Neville, although he made his decision in the toilets at West Brom.

Carrick didn’t come through the academy like Giggs, Scholes and Neville and was already 25 when he signed for United from Tottenham in 2006. Still, he deserves the same courtesy.

His arrival 10 years ago coincided with a period of success that may never be matched. Before his first contract was up he had won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and played in two more finals. Not even the treble winning team can match that.

His influence will be reduced to a sidenote by a history that will remember the super-human efforts of Cristano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney’s goals and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic’s formidable centre-half pairing. Quietly, though, he was just as important.

Even at 34, his passing stats have been as good as any of his team-mates this season. More than that, he has been one of the few keen to pass the ball forward. Having grown into his role as a senior member of the squad, he’s also been the one to front up after disappointing defeats – particularly at Stoke and West Brom.

It’s results like those that have prompted many fans to demand changes this summer, both to the management and the squad. Carrick should be one safe from the axe.