Carrick absence due to 'irregular heart rhythm'

Michael Carrick released a statement on Friday regarding his two-month absence from the Manchester United fold.

The 36-year-old midfielder said he was "feeling strange during the 2nd half of the Burton game in September," and the irregular heartbeat that was subsequently uncovered resulted in a cardiac ablation procedure.

Carrick ends his letter by saying he's healthy and training hard, and that he's "aiming to be back in contention for selection soon."

The 4-1 win against Burton Albion in the third round of the League Cup is Carrick's only appearance this season. Last campaign, he played 28 times in the Premier League alone, and was rewarded with a one-year contract extension and the club captaincy in the summer.

Of some comfort for Carrick may be the case of Clint Dempsey, formerly of Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, who was discovered to have an irregular heartbeat and ruled out of action for the Seattle Sounders in October 2016. The veteran United States international underwent treatment on the condition and was able to return to training the following January. He played 29 times in the 2017 regular season, and is in line to feature in the MLS Cup final after helping his side to a 2-0 victory at Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship.