Michael Carrick is gaining increasing support at Manchester United for the interim manager position. Sources have informed ESPN that the former midfielder is backed significantly by the current squad to take over the role.
The club aims to appoint an interim manager in the next 48 hours to lead the team through the remainder of the season, with both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having engaged in discussions regarding the position.
As reported by ESPN on Sunday evening, a decision on the new candidate has yet to be reached. The new manager will succeed Darren Fletcher, who has temporarily managed the team for two games following the dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim last Monday.
With CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox having met with Carrick and Solskjaer recently, an announcement is anticipated early this week, allowing the new coach time to prepare for Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer managed United from 2018 to 2021, during which time Carrick served as his assistant.
After Solskjaer’s termination in November 2018, Carrick briefly took over as interim manager for three matches before transitioning to a management role at Middlesbrough, where he stayed until departing the EFL Championship club last summer.
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Sources indicate that Carrick’s character and coaching abilities made a positive impression on senior players during his time at United, leading many to prefer him for the position. Meanwhile, reports from Norway suggest that the Solskjaer camp remains optimistic about their chances, but Carrick’s internal support may give him the upper hand in the selection process.