'The evidence was overwhelming' - Carrick deal reached

[BBC]

This has been a possible outcome since 25 January, 12 days after Michael Carrick was appointed as Ruben Amorim's replacement ahead of former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Carrick had already beaten Manchester City – but Amorim, Solskjaer and others had done that. Despite their reduced status, raising their game against their rivals from across town had not been an issue.

When United beat Arsenal at the Emirates thanks to Matheus Cunha's late goal, it was different, the first hint at Carrick bringing something more substantial to Old Trafford.

For the next three months, the 44-year-old batted away various questions about his future; whether he wanted the job, if he had spoken to the hierarchy about the job, if he was involved in recruitment meetings, whether it was important for potential signings to know who the manager was going to be next season.

At the same time, various candidates for the job were ruled out. Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension with the Football Association. Carlo Ancelotti moved towards doing the same with Brazil, which is now done. PSG let it be known they were well down the road of agreeing a new deal with Luis Enrique.

Another option, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner became embroiled in a dispute with the ownership of the London club that seemed to be heading towards an exit. Palace had already been beaten by non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup.

All the while, Carrick kept winning matches. Four in a row to start with, six out of seven until a first defeat – at Newcastle – which the club's hierarchy blamed on the players rather than the man in the dugout.

The home defeat by Leeds on 13 April was on the manager, who made a mistake in starting when was ruled out through injury.