Michael Carrick is currently the frontrunner to be appointed as the Manchester United caretaker head coach and his first game will come against Manchester City.
Manchester United are searching for an interim manager to take charge of the first team until the end of the season following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim last week.
Former United players Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjær are believed to be the leading candidates, with both having already held virtual and face-to-face talks with CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox.
The latest reports have suggested that Carrick has leapfrogged Solskjær in the running and is set to be named as the caretaker boss soon.
In the meantime, Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge, overseeing the senior side for the 2–2 draw against Burnley and the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
The club is expected to confirm its interim appointment within the next 48 hours, with a final decision made after Sunday’s loss to Brighton, as preparations continue for this weekend’s Manchester derby.
Carrick praised two United stars in November
Carrick has not been in management since he was sacked at Middlesborough in June last year. He has had some punditry jobs since then and has spoken about his former club.
In November, the ex-England international was full of praise for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after their summer arrivals at Old Trafford.
He was particularly complimentary of Mbeumo, who he believes has the consistency to shine in a top-level side. The Cameroon international remains United’s top scorer this term despite missing recent weeks due to AFCON.
“I like their new signings. Particularly, Cunha and Mbeumo,” Carrick explained. “I like Mbeumo, he looks like he can cope with being at a big club and in a successful team.
“There are shoots, but it’s just consistency. You look at Liverpool, Arsenal, and City, consistency gets you a long way in this league.”
Carrick may drop Cunha vs City
It looks like Carrick’s first game in charge at Old Trafford is going to be a difficult derby clash against Manchester City next weekend.
Fortunately, he will have Mbeumo and Amad back available for the game and both players could come straight back into the lineup.
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While Carrick praised Cunha earlier in the season, the Brazilian international has been going through a rough patch of form and the new caretaker boss may feel like it’s the best to leave him out of the side.
Amad or Mbeumo could play from the left and that would also allow Cunha the opportunity to make an impact off the bench in the game.
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