Manchester United Transfer News: Michael Carrick Set to Sign New Contract at Old Trafford

Feb 09, 2013 02:12 AM EST

Michael Carrick is set to sign a new two-year contract with Manchester United, after the two parties agreed on a deal.

Carrick has been one of the standout players for United this season, bossing the midfield, and making United tick in the center of the park.

Sir Alex Ferguson, realizing the improvement in the former Tottenham midfielder, has offered a pay rise with Carrick reportedly agreeing on a two-year deal worth £80,000 a week ($126,000), according to Goal.com.

The 31-year-old's current contract expires in 2014, but now Carrick is set to sign on the dotted line in the summer.

"It's more or less agreed in principal, the talks have been very easy because the player is very keen to stay at United," a United source told Goal.com.

"There has been some interest from other clubs but nobody is anticipating any problems and he will sign a new deal in the summer."

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has been fined £12,000 ($19,000) for comments made about assistant referee Simon Beck following United 1-1 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Jan. 20.

Ferguson blasted the performance of the official, questioning his decisions throughout the game, particularly his failure to award a penalty to United after Rooney went down under the challenge of Steven Caulker.

"Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, Sir Alex Ferguson has been fined £12,000 in relation to media comments made after Manchester United's game at Tottenham Hotspur on 20 January 2013," the FA said in a statement.

"It was alleged that the Manchester United manager's post-match media comments implied that the match official was motivated by bias.

"Ferguson had denied the misconduct charge and requested a paper hearing at which the Independent Regulatory Commission found proven the breach of FA Rule E3."

Ferguson, in turn, has launched a tirade at the Premier League's decision to schedule United's game against Everton on Sunday. The Red Devils face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League match Wednesday, and Real will have an extra day's rest, with their match to be played Saturday.

"The Premier League agree the contract with TV and they are in control," Ferguson said. "But they are not giving our teams a chance to be successful in Europe.

"It is ridiculous to think we are playing on Sunday and Real Madrid have an extra day's rest.

"It is not fair. France play on Friday nights. Why? Possibly we (England) get more money out of television I don't know.

"Other countries make sacrifices for their top teams in Europe. What can you do? Not turn up? I would like to do that by the way."

The Premier League had the option of scheduling the United vs. Everton game as the early kickoff Saturday, instead of the Tottenham vs. Newcastle game. However, once the Champions League match was announced to be played Wednesday, they stuck to the original scheduling of Sunday.

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