Michael Carrick underlines Man United reality over permanent manager talks

Michael Carrick insists his situation at Manchester United remains unchanged as talks continue over becoming the permanent manager after inspiring a surge in both form and morale at Old Trafford.

Carrick has stabilised the club since replacing Ruben Amorim, guiding the club back to the Champions League next season, while also taking the club to the brink of a third-place finish in the Premier League with two games remaining.

United have made Carrick their first-choice contender for the permanent manager’s role, but ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Sunday, the 44-year-old insists focus is on finishing the campaign and not the 2026/27 campaign and beyond.

“I can't blame you for asking [about my future],” Carrick admitted during his pre-match press conferences. “There’s two games to go, apart from that there’s not much else to say, probably what you expect. The situation is pretty clear for us all. Same as in terms of preparing for the game.

“It’s a unique football club, a special club. I’m immensely proud to have come back and been a part of it, to help as a supporter and ex-player, as a pure supporter caring about the club so much to be in a position to come back and help and move forward was important. To make a big step, and back in the Champions League is good, we’re happy with the work we’ve done so far.”

Carrick then concluded that a decision would be made publish soon, and an announcement could come before the final game of the season against Brighton next Sunday.

“The future for me is going to be decided pretty soon,” Carrick added. “We knew that 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.”