Michael Carrick Drops Huge Hint Over Man Utd Future With Latest Manager Search Update

Michael Carrick has underlined his desire to remain in the Old Trafford dugout beyond the current campaign, declaring that he feels “at home” as Manchester United manager while refusing to rule out a permanent stay.

Appointed interim boss last month after the departure of Ruben Amorim, Carrick was charged with steadying the ship until the end of the season so United’s hierarchy could conduct a thorough search for a long-term successor. A blistering opening run—headlined by victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur—has fuelled calls from supporters and pundits alike for the 43-year-old to be handed the reins on a full-time basis.

Speaking ahead of the next round of fixtures, Carrick struck a measured tone, insisting short-term results should not dictate long-term strategy yet admitting his personal affinity for the role.

“I’m fully aware of the role I’m doing here and the responsibility I’ve got,” he said. “We want to be successful, and I want the club to be successful beyond the end of the season—if that’s me, if that’s somebody else. At this stage, I can’t control that and we’ll see what happens, but it’s certainly about trying to improve the team and making Manchester United stronger. Results over a short period of time don’t change that. If they have changed there is something wrong. It can’t be so knee-jerk whether it’s really good or whether there’s a few issues we need to solve.”

Pressed on whether he would welcome an extended tenure, Carrick added: “I’m loving what I’m doing. I’m here. I feel at home here, but I fully understand the situation, so I’m not getting too carried away.”

United’s board, however, remain committed to an exhaustive review. While Carrick’s impact has been notable, his limited top-level managerial experience places him alongside a field of more seasoned contenders. Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, who has already signalled his intention to leave Selhurst Park in the summer, is firmly on the radar, along with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, whose progressive style has won admirers inside Old Trafford.

Further afield, former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and ex-Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso are under consideration, while the club’s willingness to wait until the close-season has expanded the search to the international scene. United States manager Mauricio Pochettino retains long-term support among club powerbrokers, as do Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and England’s Thomas Tuchel.

For now, Carrick’s remit remains unchanged: maximise points, develop the squad and allow the decision-makers time to assess both his own credentials and those of external targets. With four months left in the interim post, every touchline gesture, tactical tweak and post-match interview will be parsed for clues as to whether the former midfielder can emulate Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s 2019 transition from caretaker to permanent appointment.

United’s next run of fixtures promises to be pivotal—not only for top-four aspirations, but for the identity of the manager who will attempt to return the club to English and European prominence.