Michael Carrick has called staying as Manchester United manager his "ultimate" dream
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England.
Michael Carrick is ready for a permanent role at Manchester United(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick's previous comments suggest he will seek "the best players" at Manchester United should he remain beyond the summer. However, he maintains that consistency within the existing squad is crucial.
United have managed to piece together an impressive run of form under the interim manager, securing four victories in their last five matches and drawing one. Carrick is only the boss until the season's end, but recent performances have sparked a petition to retain the former club captain as a permanent fixture in the dugout.
The ex-Middlesbrough boss has been candid about his ambition to remain, telling BBC Sport it's the "ultimate" dream. He said: "It's not a stock answer - for me, it's the ultimate role.
"I'm really enjoying it, I love what I'm doing. I'm fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it's not the fact that I believe I can do it and I'm here to do it."
"I said it when I came in - there's the sentimental side of that... of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But, actually, I'm here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.
"I don't decide how long that's going to be but I love being here and whilst I'm here, I'll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That's how I believe it should be."
Should Carrick remain beyond this season, United supporters will be encouraged by the manager's previous stance on transfers. Back in 2011, during his playing days, the 44-year-old acknowledged that the club should only settle for elite talent on the pitch.
Casemiro of Manchester United embraces Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, as he is is substituted off during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 07, 2026 in Manchester, England.
The interim boss wants to keep the current squad in a good place(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Whilst discussing potential midfield reinforcements as he and Paul Scholes considered taking on more senior roles, Carrick said: "At a club like this there are always going to be names being bandied around. To be honest, you want the best players to be here, whether it's in my position or not. We've had it over the years and I'm sure we'll have it again."
His philosophy on securing top-quality signings for the club has likely evolved since 2011, maturing as he transitioned into coaching. Indeed, during his spell managing Boro, Carrick maintained that strengthening his existing squad's mindset took priority over major changes in the transfer market.
He said: "In an ideal world, consistency and stability is what we need to build on for success. The players need to understand where we're going and have those connections with each other.
"It's not a case where you can chop and change so many numbers so often. Sometimes circumstances will dictate that has to happen, like last summer.
"It's not always fully under our control because there are other situations going on. But certainly, consistency and stability of a squad and group of players helps you improve and helps you improve together in order to achieve success."
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