Carrick is favourite for Man Utd caretaker role

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to be appointed Manchester United's caretaker head coach, with talks reported to have progressed and the club hoping to confirm an appointment before players return to training on Wednesday.

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to be appointed Manchester United's caretaker head coach, according to sources close to the process. Club chiefs are hoping to have an appointment in place for when players return to training on Wednesday. Talks are reported to have progressed with the 44-year-old, though a final decision has not been reached. Carrick previously had a three-game stint as United's temporary boss in 2021, winning two and drawing one. Known details: - Sources say Michael Carrick is the front-runner for the caretaker head coach role at Manchester United. - Club officials hope to have an appointment in place when players return to training on Wednesday and talks with Carrick are reported to have progressed. - Carrick served a three-game interim spell for United in 2021, winning two and drawing one match. - Ruben Amorim was sacked on 5 January after 14 months in the job, and Darren Fletcher was initially given temporary responsibility; United lost an FA Cup third-round tie to Brighton on Sunday, which looks set to be Fletcher's second and final game in charge. - Carrick was sacked by Middlesbrough last June after two and a half years in charge; he had taken Boro to the 2022–23 Championship play-offs, where they lost to Coventry, and then narrowly missed the top six in subsequent campaigns. - A former England midfielder, Carrick played 464 games for United between 2006 and 2018, joined Jose Mourinho's coaching staff at the end of the 2017–18 season, and remained as a first-team coach through Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 168-game reign. Summary: The club is reported to be seeking a short-term appointment before training resumes, with Carrick described as the favourite. A formal announcement has not been made and the timing of any confirmation is expected to coincide with the players' return on Wednesday.