Michael Carrick is expected to be recommended to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the permanent manager of Manchester United by the club’s senior executives.
The 44-year-old former United midfielder has been viewed as the favourite for the job since securing qualification for next season’s Champions League during a highly successful period as caretaker head coach.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are thought to have concluded that Carrick is the right man for the job and will inform Ratcliffe of their choice this week, with formal talks set to begin if the co-owner gives his approval.
Carrick took over for the remainder of the campaign in January following an acrimonious end to Ruben Amorim’s rocky tenure at Old Trafford. United clinched Champions League qualification with three matches to spare ending a two-season absence from Europe’s elite competition.
Carrick has won 10 of his 15 matches in charge, losing just twice, guiding United from seventh to third in the Premier League table.
United explored other options, but Carrick has long been considered the frontrunner for the job, and has been publicly backed by a number of players. Some bookmakers have already suspended betting on his appointment.
While other names like Andoni Iraola and Unai Emery were considered, the decision to appoint Carrick permanently is seen as the best way to maintain the momentum built since January , in what has been a remarkable turnaround at Old Trafford.
