Michael Carrick has thrived in his interim head coaching role with Manchester United since January, but his future at the reins beyond 2025/26 remains uncertain
Michael Carrick gestures
Michael Carrick's future at Manchester United is up in the air(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Luis Enrique is reportedly nearing a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain in a major boost to the chances of Michael Carrick taking up permanent tenure with Manchester United. The Englishman has thrived with the Reds since stepping in on an interim basis until the season's end back in January.
In his first 10 games in charge, Carrick has managed seven wins, two draws and just a single loss, which came at the hands of Newcastle United last month. As a result, United sit third in the Premier League standings, well on their way to securing Champions League football for 2025/26.
It comes as a remarkable turnaround on Ruben Amorim's efforts with the club, landing Manchester United a 15th-place finish in the English top flight last season and struggling for consistency before he was ultimately sacked in January.
However, Carrick's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain despite his impressive tenure so far. His contract expires this summer with no guarantee of an extension, regardless of how inspiring he is between now and May. But his chances will certainly be boosted, considering the state of play in terms of free agent managers at present.
While Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate have each been linked with the post this summer, it is PSG's Enrique who is thought to be United's top target. However, with the Spaniard looking increasingly likely to extend his stay in the French capital in the coming months, United could instead opt to afford Carrick more time.
As per Fabrizio Romano, PSG are "optimistic" that a new deal can be struck between themselves and Enrique, who has been a revelation with the Ligue 1 giants since his arrival in 2023.
The same report claims that a high-profile figure at the club is 'dreaming' of appointing the Spaniard; however, any deal looks very unlikely at this stage.
Carrick has just seven more games to put himself further in the frame as the next permanent Manchester United manager - and the opportunity to guide the Reds back to glory could ride on his success in achieving European football for the new season.
United are very much in the ascendancy on that front, sitting pretty in third place, three points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
It was also recently confirmed that fifth place in the Premier League will guarantee Champions League football for next season due to England's place at the top of UEFA's coefficient rankings, improving United's chances even further.
Luis Enrique points
Luis Enrique looks likely to sign a new deal with PSG(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Up next for the club is a tense grudge match with Leeds United on home soil come Monday, April 13. A trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea and a runout with Brentford at Old Trafford make up the rest of United's April schedule.
However, tough clashes with Liverpool, Sunderland AFC, Nottingham Forest and Brighton await in May, as the Premier League season reaches its grand finale.