manchester united have begun the search for michael carrick's long term replacement, with ilkay gundogan a prime contender to fill the role manager louis van gaal has been hugely impressed with carrick's contribution at old trafford this season the england international's passing range and ability to dictate the pace of a match has been a key feature for united michael carrick (left) has been instrumental in manchester united's recent run of good form  united boss louis van gaal has been impressed with carrick's contribution to the team  van gaal has identified borussia dortmund's ilkay gundogan as a long term successor to carrick  michael carrick  age: 33  height: 6ft 2in  manchester united appearances: 379  england caps: 33  honours: champions league (2008), premier league (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013),  league cup (2010), club world cup (2008) ilkay gundogan  age: 24  height: 5ft 9in  borussia dortmund appearances: 86  germany caps: 9  honours: bundesliga (2012), german cup (2012), german supercup (2013) but at the age of 33, the dutchman knows the midfielder is in the twilight of his career, while the amount of time carrick has been injured this season is also a worry united will seek to sign carrick's successor this summer as part of another huge spending frenzy dortmund's ball playing midfielder gundogan has been watched extensively by united van gaal has an intrinsic knowledge of the bundesliga and believes the 24 year old has the ability to take over from carrick on a long term basis carrick, who recently signed a new 12 month extension, will continue to be part of van gaal's plans next season   but the club are planning for life without him the impending departure of manager jurgen klopp could see the excellent dortmund squad unravel this summer gundogan (right) has been watched extensively by united, who could make a move in the summer  dortmund could listen to offers to avoid losing gundogan on a free transfer in 2016  jurgen klopp's impending departure from dortmund could see a host of players leave the club  gundogan's existing contract expires at the end of next season and he is yet to sign a new deal dortmund are keen to tie the germany international to an extension, but will listen to offers for him in the summer to avoid losing him for nothing in 2016 if he continues to stall on fresh terms
ilkay gundogan michael carrick manchester united louis van gaal carrick van gaal gundogan
ilkay gundogan is seen as a successor to michael carrick in midfield . manchester united boss louis van gaal has been impressed by carrick . van gaal feels gundogan can replicate 33 year old carrick's displays 