Michael Carrick Prioritizes United’s Season Finish Over His Own Future

Carrick focuses on season finish, not his role

Kobbie Mainoo and other United players have voiced support for Michael Carrick to remain manager, while Carrick insists he’s approached the role without short-term thinking.

After guiding United back to the Champions League, interim boss Michael Carrick remains uncertain about his long-term role at Old Trafford...

Michael Carrick said Thursday that his priority is seeing Manchester United close out the season strongly, rather than worrying about his own standing at Old Trafford.

The 44-year-old former midfielder took over as interim manager in January following Ruben Amorim’s departure, and is set to remain in charge through the end of the campaign.

Carrick has guided a turnaround at United, with Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool securing Champions League qualification with three matches still to play.

Despite the results, Carrick’s place beyond this season remains undecided, and that uncertainty could affect United’s transfer plans once the season wraps.

“Clarity is important,” said Carrick ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland.

“I think moving forward, it's come at the time, right at the end of the season, where I think we've finished strong, put ourselves in a good position.

“And obviously, the situation of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it's just the natural time. It was always spoke about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing has really changed, to be honest.”

Carrick Addresses Position Uncertainty

When asked why clinching a Champions League spot hasn’t solidified his position, Carrick responded: “It's a matter of days ago and we've got eyes on finishing the season strongly as well.”

“I understand the question, I understand the timing of it, but from my point of view right at this stage it's just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly.

“Then, as I've said all along, and I'm calm about it, it'll get sorted out when it's going to get sorted out. Some of it's out of my hands, so we'll see what happens.”

Finish as we mean to go on 😤

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 7, 2026

While Carrick has remained noncommittal about his future, several United players have publicly supported him continuing as manager. Kobbie Mainoo, who scored the winner against Liverpool, said the squad is willing to “die for him.”

When asked if he would change anything if he were appointed full-time rather than as caretaker, Carrick said: “It's a good question. I've said from the start I've never approached a day here in terms of any short-term decisions.”

“Whether that's different to the outlook of others, I don't know.

“But from myself and the staff we've made decisions for the longer-term for the group and individually, players, how we treat them and try to help develop them.”

He added: “Maybe we'll get to see, I don't know. But certainly, from my point of view, I've gone about it in a way that I feel is the right way to do it.”

Our penultimate away day of 2025/26 is up next 👊🌓 pic.twitter.com/WbCF1iqokN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 6, 2026