Manchester United's senior executives are preparing to recommend Michael Carrick as the club's next permanent manager to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, marking a potential homecoming for the former midfield maestro.
The 44-year-old Carrick has emerged as the frontrunner after an impressive stint as caretaker head coach, where he steered the Red Devils back into Champions League contention. Since taking the reins in January following Ruben Amorim's dismissal, Carrick has transformed a struggling squad into genuine top-four contenders.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have reportedly concluded that Carrick is the ideal candidate to lead the club forward. According to The Athletic, the pair are expected to present their recommendation to Ratcliffe this week, with formal contract talks likely to follow if the minority shareholder gives his approval.
Carrick's record speaks for itself: 10 wins from 15 matches, with just two defeats. Under his guidance, United have climbed from seventh to third in the Premier League table, securing a return to Europe's elite competition. No Premier League side has accumulated more points than United's 33 since Carrick took charge on January 13.
His tenure began in spectacular fashion, winning his first four matches in charge, including statement victories over title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. A seven-game unbeaten run was only broken in March, but Carrick's side bounced back with crucial wins against Champions League rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Liverpool to seal their top-four finish.
This represents a remarkable turnaround from the chaos that marked Amorim's final months. The Portuguese manager's 14-month reign ended in January amid poor results and growing tensions over his tactics and formation. Carrick, who previously enjoyed a brief three-game spell as interim boss following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure in 2021, has brought stability both on and off the pitch.
His quiet authority and tactical acumen have impressed club officials, who see him as the steady hand needed to guide United back to the summit of English football. For a club that prides itself on its rich heritage, promoting from within could be the perfect fit as they look to build a new era of success.