Carrick says a decision will be made soon on his future as Man United manager

Michael Carrick said his future as Manchester United manager will be decided soon as he looks to end the season on a high with a top-three finish in the Premier League, four places above the position in January when he took over as interim head coach.

Carrick helped United to ten wins in fifteen top-flight games to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. A point against Nottingham Forest on Sunday will seal United’s third place finish.

«The future for me will be decided quite quickly. We knew it would be towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing has changed,» Carrick told reporters on Friday, ahead of the final home game of the season.

READ | Dutchman De Ligt will miss the World Cup after back surgery

«There’s no big change there. That’s what it is, you know. Obviously, what’s out there is close anyway.»

According to media reports, Carrick, a former United midfielder, has already been offered the role of permanent manager.

“It’s a unique football club, a special, special football club,” said Carrick, who had a brief spell as the club’s caretaker manager in 2021 before taking charge of Middlesbrough.

“I’m extremely proud to have come back and be part of that, to help as a supporter. Being an ex-player and ex-employee is one thing, but as a pure supporter and caring so much about the club, it was important to be in a position to come back and help it move forward as a group.”

CASEMIRO SUITABLE FOR THE FINAL HOME MATCH

United midfielder Casemiro, who will leave this season after four years at the club, called earlier this month for Carrick to be retained as permanent manager.

Carrick said Casemiro, who missed last weekend’s trip to Sunderland, will be fit for his final game at Old Trafford.

“Casemiro is available… he has given absolutely everything in every aspect, knowing it would end at the end of the season,” Carrick said of the Brazilian midfielder, who has made 146 appearances for United since 2022.

Striker Benjamin Sesko, who also missed the game against Sunderland, is not fully fit, according to the manager.

However, Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is likely to be on the sidelines for months to come and miss the World Cup as United announced on Friday that the 26-year-old had undergone surgery on a back injury that has kept him out since November.

Asked to assess the season, Carrick said he was pleased with the improvement United have made after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season.

“I think it’s a good step to take the big step to return to the Champions League… and I’m absolutely happy with the work we’ve done so far,” he said.

United end the season with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on May 24.

Published on May 15, 2026