Michael Carrick Hopeful of Fresh Manchester United Contract

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits he has "nowhere else to go" if the club decides not to offer him a new contract before the end of the season.

Carrick, who has withdrawn from the England squad to face Slovenia and Scotland through injury, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign and is yet to agree an extension.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder will be 34 at the start of next season and has already missed the beginning of the season with an ankle injury, making just two appearances under Louis van Gaal against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

But Carrick is keen to remain at United and says a new deal could yet be agreed around Christmas.

"My contract is up at the end of the season. I want to stay, of course. I've got nowhere else to go," he said. "They (talks) have not really (begun) not yet. But I haven't expected (them to begin) to be honest, with the injury. It will probably (happen) around Christmas or after that."

Carrick missed the first 10 weeks of the season with an ankle injury picked up in pre-season training, restricting his opportunities to impress new manager Van Gaal who confirmed the blow in his unveiling as United boss.

New signings Daley Blind and Ander Herrera have operated in the middle of the United midfield for much of the campaign but, despite his lengthy injury absence, Carrick says Van Gaal has made him feel part of the squad.

"It was literally his first day in the office when I went for my operation, so that was shocking timing really," added Carrick. "But he was great with me straight away, the boss. He has been great, and his staff. They have been really supportive from the first day and I have a lot to thank them for because he had a lot on his plate coming in.

"He took his time to make sure I was all right and getting on the right track."