However, he has brought about marked improvements in both performances and results, with United sitting third with seven matches remaining and well-placed to secure a return to the Champions League next season. This has placed Carrick as the frontrunner for the position, with the players having made their wishes abundantly clear, as Amad Diallo insisted they are eager for the club's former midfielder to remain. He said: "It's not for us as a player to decide for his future but he's been very great, he's been doing so much for the team, he has a lot of experience and he knows the club, he has the DNA so we think he's the right man but we are really happy for what he's doing right now."
Carrick is currently overseeing a training camp in Ireland as his squad prepares for a return to Premier League action following a 24-day gap between fixtures, yet his own future continues to remain under scrutiny. He evidently enjoys the backing of the players, though, and that could prove crucial as chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox weigh up their next moves.
"He's been here not too long but he's been doing very good and his relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes you need this kind of manager to bring the club where they belong. I think my personal decision is he's the right man.
"It's not the player who decides if he's going to be the manager. We are really happy to have him as a manager. I think the club will decide at the end of the season. But my honest opinion is we are really happy to have Michael Carrick as a manager and he's doing well."
Amad was a young player at United when Carrick formed part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching team, and he also explained that he had maintained contact with him when the winger was on loan at Sunderland, and Carrick was managing their north east neighbours in Middlesbrough. He added: "I was young at that time, with no experience, but he was there to help me, he was there to give me advice.
"I was playing a lot of games with under-23. I also remember that I met him when he was in Middlesbrough and I was in Sunderland. So I know him since a long time ago. He's been doing so much for me and I'm so happy to have him as a manager, honestly."