Manchester United set to make decision on next manager after securing Champions League football

Michael Carrick is edging closer to becoming the permanent manager of Manchester United, talkSPORT understands. 

Club icon Carrick is in the box seat to lead the Red Devils beyond the summer after guiding them to Champions League qualification.

Getty

United beat Liverpool 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Old Trafford on Sunday to guarantee themselves of a top five finish with three matches remaining.

The victory was the club’s tenth from 14 fixtures in the Premier League since Carrick was appointed on an interim basis in January until the end of the season.

No team in the top-flight have picked up more points [32] than United since the ex-Middlesbrough boss returned to the Theatre of Dreams.

At the time of his unveiling at the start of the year, United were sitting in seventh spot.

Taking the Mich?

As of yet, the United hierarchy are yet to offer Carrick any assurances over a permanent role.

But they are aware he has the backing of the dressing room – including skipper Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha.

However those players are not formally lobbying on his behalf and it will be United’s leadership who make the final decision rather than players.

Yet the fact United have not held talks with any external candidates is seen as positive.

Sources close to Carrick expect formal discussions to begin imminently.

Carrick remained coy over landing the job on a full-time basis when speaking to ex-United teammate Dimitar Berbatov following the win against Arne Slot‘s side.

Getty

Getty

Berbatov – on punditry duty for Premier League productions – asked Carrick: “Michael, Berba is here. I just wanted to ask you… you’re planning for next season, right? Tell me you’re planning for next season.”

To which the 2008 Champions League winner replied by saying: “How are you doing Berba? Nice question.”

He then continued: “I said it when I came in that I think part of the responsibility here was to plan for the long-term and not make decisions just to get by week by week or until the end of the season, and certainly done that.

“There’s obviously conversations that keep going on about what it looks like in the future, and I’m kind of part of that so things will get sorted out in good time.

“I think we’re in a good place at the moment, so let’s see how it develops over the next few weeks.”

Cunha, who opened the deadlock against Liverpool before Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo got on the score sheet, has publicly called for Carrick to remain in charge.

Hailing United’s turnaround under the 44-year-old’s tutelage, the Brazilian said: “I don’t think it’s in my hands, but what he did, he’s full of confidence in the group.

“And look, I sat on the bench with him [after being substituted], how he teaches everyone is amazing.

“I think he has the magic with like these [Alex] Ferguson times, these kinds of things, then he comes and brings [it] to us.

“Teach us how it was, and to be part of everything, then he did this, it’s amazing, he’s a pleasure, and then of course I think he deserves it.”

Carrick will be looking to guide United to a fourth successive league win when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.

Should they be victorious, and Liverpool and Aston Villa fail to claim three points against Chelsea and Burnley respectively, United will seal third spot.