‘It’ll become clear when it’s going to become clear’

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he is “not sure” when he will receive clarity on his future at the club and is not “chasing deadlines” for an answer.

Former Red Devils midfielder Carrick has impressed since returning to Old Trafford on January 13 on an interim basis until the end of the campaign but is yet to discover whether he will be offered the role permanently.

“It’ll become clear when it’s going to become clear,” Carrick replied when he was asked whether he wants to know United’s plan beyond the final five games of 2025/26.

“I’m not sure, to be honest, and it’s genuinely not something in terms of deadlines that I’m really chasing.”

Will Manchester United keep Carrick as head coach?

United were seventh and a point from the likely final Champions League qualification position of fifth when Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim on January 13.

The 20-time champions now have an eight-point cushion over sixth place, requiring a maximum of five points from their final 15 available to guarantee a return to the Champions League.

“I’ve said many times that I enjoy being here,” said Carrick. “I enjoy the role I’m in. We’ve had some good results and we’re in decent shape.

“There’s a lot to go and we still want to keep improving. There are layers we want to get to, really. I love being here and it’s a real privilege to be in the position I am.

“I’m thriving with the responsibility we have got. I’m here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results.

“At the moment we’re doing alright. We can keep pushing and getting better, so really that’s genuinely all I’m focused on right now.

“When you get important wins and big wins and you have moments to enjoy, that’s what we’re all here for. We’ve got to make the most of them.”

United took 19 points from their first possible 21 under Carrick this season, including victories over title hopefuls Manchester City and Arsenal in their first two matches of his tenure.

They have since suffered defeats at Newcastle and at home to Leeds United, as well as beating Aston Villa at home and Chelsea away with a draw at Bournemouth in between.

Carrick explains why comparisons with Solskjaer are ‘irrelevant’

Like Carrick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a former United playing favourite who had a transformational effect during the Norwegian’s interim spell in charge between December 2018 and March 2019.

United’s form dipped after Solskjaer was then given the role permanently, although he guided the club to the 2020/21 Europa League final before leaving by mutual consent in November 2021.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for him,” Carrick said of his former teammate. “He’s a close friend of mine and I worked closely [as a coach] with him when he was here, so I was quite attached and I thought we did a lot of good things, really.

“We became close. In the end it changed and went a different direction. That’s football. You could compare [my situation] to all sorts of different situations and managers and coaches and teams over the years, it just depends on what you want to choose to compare.

“It’s irrelevant, it really is. That’s not a negative or a positive – it doesn’t really have any link at all, I think.

“We’re a different team now, irrespective of me or who’s in charge. It’s a different time, so I don’t really think comparisons make any difference at all.”

Amorim lasted 14 months at United. Predecessor Erik ten Hag was sacked four months after being handed a two-year contract extension.

Liam Rosenior: Chelsea sacking does not discourage Carrick

Carrick was inevitably questioned about fellow English coach Liam Rosenior’s sacking on Wednesday after less than four months at Chelsea.

“There are two sides to it,” he said, suggesting that clubs should concentrate on a long-term view.

“Definitely, instant results in the next game are as important as ever. But there’s definitely the responsibility [to be] thinking, as a coaching staff and as a club, of what the future looks like, in trying to make that better and the bigger picture.

“You can only be positive and look to what’s achievable. That’s how I am. There all sorts of negatives or setbacks or what-mights or what-ifs in the world.

“I don’t think about what could go wrong. It’s more of a case of what can be achieved. That’s a much nicer way and positive way to look at it.”

What’s next? Man United fixtures, schedule

United return to action on Monday at home to a Brentford side hoping to stay in contention for European qualification.

Here’s how the run-in looks for Carrick’s side.