Michael Carrick emerges as favourite for Manchester United interim role

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite candidate to be Manchester United’s interim manager for the rest of the season after the interview process, with the club’s executive expected to finalise the decision on Monday. Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, are understood not to have made a formal offer but are leaning towards Carrick, sources have informed the Guardian.

Both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjær held face‑to‑face discussions with the hierarchy; Berrada and Wilcox met Carrick on Thursday and Solskjær on Saturday at the club’s Carrington training ground. Solskjær had been viewed as the prime candidate to return to a role he held from December 2018 to March 2019 and then as permanent manager until November 2021, but Carrick has now edged ahead.

Berrada and Wilcox want whoever is appointed to have maximum time to prepare for the visit of Manchester City to Old Trafford on Saturday. Darren Fletcher admitted he was in the dark about his immediate future after taking charge of the 2-1 FA Cup third‑round defeat by Brighton on Sunday, his second game in temporary charge following the 2-2 league draw at Burnley.

“I’ve had no discussions. I have to report tomorrow morning to Carrington, that is all I know. I will find out tomorrow morning. I have had zero indications,” he said, adding that his focus had been on the matches.

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Sports, Michael Carrick, Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Darren Fletcher, Manchester City