Michael Carrick has penned a new one-year deal with Manchester United.

The news comes on the eve of Sunday's blockbuster at Liverpool.

The 33-year-old, who joined United from Tottenham for £18.6million in 2006, was due to be out of contract in the summer but the club have exercised an option to extend it for another 12 months.

Speaking at his weekly press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, Louis van Gaal said: "He is important. He can read the game as a player on the pitch so he can coach during the game but he can improve that, I think.

"And he is also a midfielder who can play the ball forwards and that I like because our aim is always passing the ball more forwards than sideways or backwards.

"And he is my second (vice) captain, he is an important man for my selection.

"Wayne Rooney is my first captain and Michael Carrick is my second captain and that say enough what I think about those players.

"Wayne Rooney is Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick is Michael Carrick. These are different people."