Manchester United interim coach Michael Carrick is expected to be recommended to minority owner Jim Ratcliffe as the club’s permanent manager following an impressive run as caretaker coach.
According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, senior club executives, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, are understood to have concluded that Carrick is the preferred candidate to replace Ruben Amorim, who was dismissed in January after a difficult spell in charge.
According to reports, United are now preparing to present Carrick as their preferred option to Ratcliffe this week.
If approved, formal talks are expected to begin before an official announcement is made.
Carrick has led a dramatic turnaround in results since taking temporary charge on January 13.
Under his leadership, United has won 10 of their 15 matches, losing only twice, and climbed from seventh to third in the Premier League standings to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
No club has amassed more Premier League points than United during Carrick’s stay, with victories over rivals such as Manchester City and Arsenal FC.
Carrick had previously emphasized the necessity of stability and long-term planning during his tenure in charge.
“We have to look at the bigger picture and keep building every day,” he said during one of his recent press conferences.
“The focus is always on improving the players, improving the team, and making sure the club moves in the right direction,” he stressed.
The 44-year-old, who also briefly managed the club on an interim basis following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in 2021, has reportedly impressed club officials not only with results on the pitch but also with his work behind the scenes.
He has been commended internally for his dedication to youth development and participation in recruitment negotiations, as the club seeks long-term stability following a volatile period under Amorim.
United considered numerous other contenders for the position, but options such as Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique are said to have remained committed to their existing jobs.
Carrick’s side will finish the 2025-26 season with games against Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion later this month, as speculation grows that he could shortly be appointed as the club’s permanent manager.
