Michael Carrick gave a quick-fire explanation after revealing he would leave Manchester United after his side beat Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
The 40-year-old called an end to his 15-year-association with the club in surprising fashion just minutes after watching his team come from behind to move up to seventh and within three points of the top four.
Ralf Rangnick will be in charge of the team for their next game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“It’s not been an easy decision to make to be honest, but I think it’s the right one,” he told Amazon Prime.
“I’m content with my decision, I feel quite happy. I was meant to take some time off after I finished playing and I promised the family that we’d have some time together, and it’s never happened.
“100% my decision. Over the last week really [made the decision], it was creeping in. I respected the club and I respected the new manager coming in, I wanted to make the decision before I had any contact with him or spoke to him. There was no crossover whatsoever.
“I told them [players] about 5 minutes ago. They’re surprised, a little bit emotional in the changing room to be honest. But I kind of expected that, and I held it together just about. It’s not been easy to keep it away from people over the last few days, but I had a job to do and I was desperate to win the game for the club, for the fans, and for the players. I’m not the important one.”
