Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager after sacking Ruben Amorim at the start of January, and at that time, the decision makers at Old Trafford were adamant that the former midfielder was only going to be at the helm until the end of the season.
Fast-forward to the present, nearly two months under Carrick’s reign, and the Red Devils have turned a corner and are now one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League as well as across Europe’s top five leagues.
In seven games since Carrick’s arrival, Manchester United have gone unbeaten in the Premier League, recording six wins and one draw.
In the course of this incredible run, United have put the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the sword in dominant fashion.
Carrick’s primary assignment at the time of his appointment was to deliver UEFA Champions League qualification ahead of next season.
With Man United currently sitting third on the Premier League table, the former Three Lions midfielder is well on course to deliver on that mandate.
According to Sports Illustrated, if Carrick can keep United in their current position and secure UCL football for next season, he will be offered the chance to remain beyond this season, with the Old Trafford hierarchy making it clear that they will be unable to ignore the 44-year-old at that point.
If he fails , though, Manchester United will look to other candidates already on their shortlist of potential permanent appointments.
At the moment, there’s a general understanding within the club that a decision on their next permanent manager, whether Carrick or someone else, must be made before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
