14 May,2026 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Michael Carrick (Pic: AFP)
Michael Carrick is set to be recommended as the new permanent manager of Manchester United to co-owner Jim Ratcliffe by the club's senior executives.
Carrick, the former United midfielder, is currently the favourite for the job, having secured UEFA Champions League qualification for the club next season as the caretaker head coach.
The club intended to wait until the summer to announce the new manager after sacking Ruben Amorim in January.
However, as first reported by The Athletic, external chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are thought to have concluded Carrick is the right man for the job and will tell Ratcliffe of their choice this week.
United will begin official talks with Michael Carrick once minority shareholder Ratcliffe gives the green light for his appointment. United still have two matches to play this season, one at home against Nottingham Forest and the last away to Brighton.
Carrick has impressed since taking over as Man Utd boss in January. The former United star has won 10 of his 15 matches in charge, losing just twice. Man Utd were seventh when the 44-year-old took over and has since guided them to third place in the league table.
No Premier League club has won more points than the 33 Manchester United have collected since Carrick's appointment on January 13. These victories included wins against city rivals Manchester City and arch rivals Liverpool.
Carrick's team also won at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal and at Stamford Bridge against fellow UCL-chasing Chelsea.
Amorim's dismissal left United in disarray, and as his 14-month term came to a close, the Portuguese's relationship with club authorities became increasingly tense due to poor performances and arguments about his tactics and formation.
However, Carrick's contributions both on and off the field have stabilised the team. Several United players have advocated for Carrick to be granted the position full-time.
United have been assessing other options, but with Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique staying at their England and PSG jobs respectively, the managerial market is currently bleak. Carrick's side conclude their 2025-26 campaign with fixtures against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday and a final-day trip to Brighton on May 24.
