Michael Carrick LEADS the race for Man United interim job

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to become Manchester United manager until the end of the season.

Last week, Daily Mail Sport reported that the race to replace sacked Ruben Amorim was between Carrick and fellow former United star Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And sources have disclosed that the England international is now the frontrunner. While no final decisions have been made, officials hope to make an announcement on Monday.

Both Carrick and Solskjaer had meetings with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick is thought to have delivered a strong interview, and impressed both officials.

Solskjaer - who served as United manager from 2018 to 2021 - had originally been viewed as the main contender but Carrick is expected to be the man the club turns to as it seeks to ignite an underwhelming season.

Carrick won five Premier League titles while at Old Trafford before retiring in 2018. He had a short spell as caretaker manager after Solskjaer’s departure and before the arrival of Ralf Rangnick.

In 2022 he was appointed Middlesbrough manager with the Championship side in the relegation zone. The 44-year-old, who also played for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, took Boro to the play-offs in his first season and the semi-finals of the League Cup the following year. He was sacked last summer, after a 10th-placed finish.

Sunday's home FA Cup defeat by Brighton means the Premier League is the only competition United will play in for the rest of the season, and qualification for Europe is seen as essential.

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Darren Fletcher, placed in charge following Amorim's dismissal, said he was in the dark following the loss.

'I've had no discussions,' he said. 'I have to report tomorrow morning to Carrington, that is all I know.

'I will find out tomorrow morning. I have had zero indications. All my focus has been on this [Burnley and Brighton].

'It is a massive responsibility to lead this club and I have given it my best and I am disappointed not to win a game. I think there are some good things there but ultimately it wasn't enough. I am more disappointed than anyone.'

The defeat by the Seagulls means United will play just 40 games this season, the lowest figure for 111 years.