Manchester United chiefs have urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe to consider handing Michael Carrick a permanent role after he stepped in as interim manager at the start of the year.
The internal view has steadily strengthened behind the scenes, with Carrick now emerging as the preferred option heading into next season.
United Considered External Candidates Before Backing Carrick
The club did explore alternative candidates during their assessment process, with names such as Andoni Iraola and Unai Emery both discussed.
However, according to The Athletic, internal belief has now settled firmly on Carrick. It has been decided by the people that work with Michael Carrick that he is the right man to take Manchester United into next season.
Carrick Has Overseen Major Improvement Since January
Since his appointment, Carrick has overseen a significant turnaround in form, winning 10 of his 15 matches in charge and losing just twice.
That run has lifted the Red Devils from seventh to third in the Premier League, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League in the process.
No Premier League side has collected more points than Manchester United (33) have earned since Carrick took charge on 13 January, underlining the scale of the improvement.
Support Continues to Grow for Permanent Appointment
Carrick has consistently spoken about taking a long-term approach in his decision-making, while also being involved in discussions around recruitment and squad planning.
Within the dressing room, support has also grown, with several players reportedly expressing their backing for him to be given the role on a permanent basis as United continue to assess their long-term direction.
