It is increasingly likely that Michael Carrick will be named Manchester United’s permanent manager in the summer, following a successful stint as caretaker manager in the second half of this season.
And his first job in the summer, ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, will be to oversee a major overhaul of the playing squad at Old Trafford.
Carrick has been one of the frontrunners for the job full-time since coming back to the club where he spent 12 years as a player, given his impressive tenure in interim charge.
Carrick Earns Right To Be Named Man Utd Manager
Carrick has taken charge of ten games since replacing Ruben Amorim in the dugout in January, winning seven, drawing two and losing just one, to put United firmly in the conversation for Champions League football next season.
United sit fourth in the Premier League table, a point clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and three clear of sixth-placed Liverpool with the top five all but guaranteed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Earning the role on a full-time basis will come with big expectations and Carrick will have his own plans and demands, particularly when it comes to the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are in the market for a central midfielder or two once the transfer window opens, with Casemiro to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract. Elliot Anderson looks the standout candidate to come in at the moment, with United keen to hand Carrick a marquee signing.
The likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have also been touted as potential signings, but Carrick will have plenty of work to do on shaping the squad in his image.
Man Utd To Say Goodbye To A Number Of Players
Casemiro will not be the only player to depart. United have an agreement with Barcelona for the Catalans to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal this summer, although there remain negotiations over how that deal is going to be paid.
Tyrrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho will also depart the club with their contracts due to expire, while a number of other players are also set to leave.
United want to jettison goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer, while Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are other names expected to depart Old Trafford at some point during the summer transfer window.
That would be eight players departing the club, leaving plenty of room in the squad for Carrick to add further new signings, should the finances be available to him.
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