Michael Carrick beats Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the Man United job

Manchester United are set to announce Michael Carrick as the club's interim manager within the next 48 hours after talks progressed, Daily Mail Sport understands.

The former player was in the city today finalising a deal which will see him take charge at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

It is thought that talks are now focussing on Carrick's backroom staff. It is now unlikely an announcement will be made today with some details still to be ironed out.

However, the hope is that Carrick and his team will be in place to oversee training on Wednesday when United's players return following a two-day break.

Both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were spoken to by United officials after they parted company with Amorim.  Carrick, who has previously managed Middlesbrough, is said to have impressed. 

Darren Fletcher, Carrick's former team-mate, has overseen a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a disappointing home FA Cup defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Carrick, 44, won five Premier League titles while at Old Trafford as a player before retiring in 2018. He had a short spell as caretaker manager at United after Solskjaer's departure and before the arrival of Ralf Rangnick.

At Middlesbrough he guided the team from the relegation zone to the play-offs in his first season. In the following campaign he took Boro to the semi-finals of the League Cup. He was sacked last summer following a 10th placed finish.

Qualification for Europe is seen as essential for the remainder of the season and, after the defeat to Brighton sealed United's elimination from both domestic cups, Fletcher admitted the players had to a lot to prove.

'This team is still good enough to achieve success this season but they have to dig deep,' the Scot said.

'Out of cups, only Premier League games to play for, the fans weren't happy at the end but they have got every right to air their grievances.

'It wasn't toxic but they showed their disappointment. I'm sure if the players show the right reaction, the fans will get behind them like they always do because there is still a lot to play for in the Premier League this season.'

United, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League, but are just three points off Liverpool in fourth, return to action when they host arch-rivals Man City next Saturday.