Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko has thrown his weight behind Michael Carrick to be appointed on a full-time basis at Old Trafford. Carrick secured a ninth Premier League victory since taking interim charge in the win over Brentford on Monday.
Ruben Amorim left with United languishing in sixth place, but Carrick's influence has propelled the club up to third and into a prime position to lock down UEFA Champions League soccer for next season.
Yet Carrick struck the right tone when addressing the media following the Brentford victory, noting that securing a return to the Champions League is "not something that we should be all celebrating."
Italian officials slam ‘shameful’ proposal from Trump envoy for Azzuri to replace Iran at World Cup
Soccer official calls for 'abolishment' of FIFA Peace Prize months after Donald Trump awarded honor
Carrick lifted five Premier League titles during his playing days and is eager to end the 13-year drought for league glory at United, should he be handed the role on a permanent basis, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Club sources insist United are conducting a thorough process to finalize the appointment, but Carrick remains the overwhelming frontrunner to secure the position after accumulating more points than any other manager in the top flight since taking over as United head coach on January 13.
The interim boss also commands the backing of the locker room to remain in charge, with Sesko lending his voice to the growing chorus calling for Carrick to be given the job permanently when he spoke to reporters in the mixed zone on Monday.
When questioned about whether he wanted Carrick to remain, Sesko responded: "Of course, he's an amazing coach, I've said this many times. He's brought different energy. Also, the way we're doing in the training, it's unbelievable, and of course, I would like to have him here."
Sesko has experienced his most productive goalscoring run for United since Carrick's return to the club, with the duo sharing an embrace on the sideline after the final whistle against Brentford.
Earlier this month, United traveled to the Republic of Ireland for a four-day training camp. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo addressed the media at Carton House, expressing their support for Carrick to remain beyond this season.
Amad said of Carrick: "He's been very great, he's been doing so much for the team, he has a lot of experience, and he knows the club, so we think he's the right man, but we are really happy for what he's doing right now."
Mbeumo added: "We've got good experience with him, I like playing under him as well."
Carrick was questioned about his future before the Brentford match. "Yeah, of course, there are discussions going on, it's natural," he told Sky Sports. "You have to make a plan as a football club, you need to plan for different scenarios, so for sure.
"My opinion has been involved in that. I said from the start I'm not here just to make decisions for the short term, I want the best for the football club, so that's definitely in my thinking."