Manchester United are set to hold crucial talks with interim manager Michael Carrick about taking the reins on a permanent basis, with Sky Sports reporting that a meeting will take place before the end of the current season. The club have also explored other candidates, but Carrick remains the priority for discussions.

Since stepping in as caretaker in January, the 44-year-old former midfielder has transformed United's fortunes. His tenure began with a memorable derby victory at Old Trafford, and he has since guided the Red Devils into a top-five Premier League finish and secured Champions League qualification. Carrick's record speaks volumes: 10 wins, three draws, and just two losses in 15 matches, including a blistering start of six wins and one draw before a narrow defeat at Newcastle.

Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett noted that Carrick "has been the frontrunner for the role for some time now," impressing the board with his popularity among the squad, media savvy, deep understanding of the club's heritage, and most importantly, the results on the pitch. The team climbed from outside the top four to third place since March 1, showing remarkable consistency under his leadership.

Carrick's connection to Manchester United runs deep. Between 2006 and 2018, he made 464 appearances for the club, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson. His playing career also included 34 England caps and stints at West Ham, Tottenham, Swindon, and Birmingham City. After hanging up his boots, he cut his coaching teeth under José Mourinho and later served as caretaker in 2018 before Ole Gunnar Solskjær's appointment, who kept him on staff. He returned to the hot seat in 2021 after Solskjær's exit, then took charge at Middlesbrough, where he lifted the club from a Championship relegation battle to eighth and tenth-place finishes.

Hired in January to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim, Carrick was initially tasked with steadying the ship for the remainder of the season. Instead, he has turned United into genuine contenders. The club's approach—talking to Carrick while keeping other options open—shows both respect for his achievements and a clear-eyed strategy. He may not be the flashiest name, but his results and rapport with the squad make him the right man for the job.