Michael Carrick has Manchester United on the cusp of a remarkable turnaround, but the interim boss is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as talks over the permanent manager role heat up.

Since taking over from Ruben Amorim, Carrick has done more than steady the ship at Old Trafford—he's steered it back into Champions League waters. With just two games left in the Premier League season, United are on the verge of securing a third-place finish, a far cry from the uncertainty that clouded the club just months ago.

The 44-year-old former midfielder has emerged as the club's top choice for the full-time position, but ahead of Sunday's clash with Nottingham Forest, Carrick is keeping his focus squarely on the present. "I can't blame you for asking about my future," he said with a knowing smile during his pre-match press conference. "There's two games to go, apart from that there's not much else to say. The situation is pretty clear for us all."

For Carrick, this isn't just a job—it's personal. A product of United's academy and a key figure in their glory years, he's returned to the club with a deep sense of purpose. "It's a unique football club, a special club," he reflected. "I'm immensely proud to have come back and been a part of it, to help as a supporter and ex-player. To be in a position to come back and help move forward was important. Making a big step and getting back in the Champions League is good—we're happy with the work we've done so far."

The message from the dugout is clear: the focus is on crossing the finish line strong. But Carrick did offer a hint that a decision is imminent. "The future for me is going to be decided pretty soon," he added. "We knew it was going to be towards the end of the season. Nothing has changed, there is no big swing on that. Whatever is beyond that is pretty close anyway."

With fans dreaming of a new era and the board preparing to make their call, all eyes are on whether Carrick's steady hand will become the permanent fixture at Old Trafford. For now, though, it's all about those final two games—starting with Forest on Sunday and ending with Brighton next weekend. The Carrick era, whatever form it takes, is just getting started.