Manchester United have had informal 'conversations' over hiring a Michael Carrick alternative, although the 44-year-old very much remains on their shortlist, according to the Athletic's David Ornstein.
Man United chiefs are facing a huge decision over who the club's next permanent manager is going to be, with Carrick putting himself right at the front of the queue after launching the Red Devils into a position where they are favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
United lie in third position in the Premier League standings with half-a-dozen matches left to play this term, knowing that a top-five finish will be enough to see them return to the competition for the first time since 2023.
Carrick's men lie seven points above sixth-placed Chelsea in the table, although they missed the opportunity to extend that advantage further when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Leeds United on Monday night.
Having taken 23 points from a possible 30 available prior to the visit of Daniel Farke's men, the feeling on Carrick taking the job would have been positive among the United fanbase.
It probably still is, but the defeat and the manner of it may have raised some doubts, with Leeds dominating proceedings in the first half after racing into a 2-0 lead.
Ornstein: Man United Hold 'Conversations', No Interviews Yet
Manchester United senior officials Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada look on
According to Ornstein, speaking on the latest Athletic FC podcast, United chiefs have done everything they need to do behind the scenes to decide who is on their shortlist, and now they must decide which direction they are going to go in.
Much could depend on the Red Devils securing Champions League qualification and how performances and results look in the final six games.
Should they dip considerably, it could allow other current Premier League managers into the race, as well as the likes of Julian Nagelsmann.
Ornstein said: "If things go wrong and Michael Carrick starts to lose matches and Manchester United are struggling to qualify or don't qualify for the Champions League, we're having a whole different conversation here.
"Then the likes of [Andoni] Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and others, by the way, come into the frame, and that's why United are being patient.
"They'll have done all of their work and, as I understand it, they have in terms of their data and their analytics around it. They know the market. They know the options available. To my knowledge, they haven't done interviews with others yet.
"There will have been conversations with agents and intermediaries. That's their job, they're in the market for players. Many players are represented by similar people to managers, but I don't know of direct talks yet.
"Very little has come out publicly of credibility in that sense. And normally it does when clubs are talking to candidates. You might say, well, that plays into Michael Carrick's hands, doesn't it that they're not talking to others. Not necessarily, let's see what they do. Draw up a short list which Michael Carrick is probably going to be part of and then make your decisions."
Man Utd Chiefs 'Very Happy' With Carrick
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the supporters
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on GIVEMESPORT's latest Market Madness podcast episode, United chiefs are 'very happy' with Carrick's work and the disappointing result against Leeds hasn't changed his situation.
What Red Devils officials are particularly impressed with is the way he has bonded with key players in the dressing room and those around the club, which is a big positive despite his lack of experience of winning trophies or managing in the Champions League.
Romano reported earlier this month that one senior United man would love to employ Luis Enrique as the club's manager at some stage, although the Spaniard appears to be on the verge of extending his stay with Paris Saint-Germain.