Michael Carrick enjoys off season break with wife Lisa Roughead in Greece

With no pre-season training or international duty to think about, Michael Carrick is preparing for life as part of Manchester United's coaching staff by enjoying the Greek sun.

Carrick, who in previous years would be getting fit ready for pre-season or at an international tournament with England, doesn't have such commitments this summer.

He will play a major part in United's coaching setup next season underneath Jose Mourinho, but not until his holiday in Greece with wife Lisa Roughead is over.

The 36-year-old has been fast-tracked into coaching by Mourinho following Rui Faria's departure as the manager's long term assistant.

Carrick formally began his new role at United at the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley last month.

The United manager has already confirmed that he will not have an assistant to replace Faria next season, choosing instead to restructure his coaching team.

United's highly-rated Under-18s manager Kieran McKenna is expected to be promoted onto the first-team staff, and the club will also look to accelerate Carrick's progress.

He has been working towards his coaching badges with the Under-14s and Under-15s for the last two years but is still short of his Pro-Licence.

Even so, Mourinho knows that Carrick's experience and popularity as a player will provide a valuable link with the dressing-room after 12 years at Old Trafford.