Man Utd’s stance on waiting for Julian Nagelsmann if Michael Carrick is snubbed

Michael Carrick is firmly in the running to be confirmed as Manchester United‘s permanent head coach after further enhancing his impressive record with victory against Brentford on Monday night. Julian Nagelsmann is admired but United are leaning towards Carrick who has claimed nine wins from his 13 matches at the helm since being brought in to replace Ruben Amorim in January. United’s success looks set to earn him a long-term deal at Old Trafford.

United can seal their return to the Champions League this weekend, either by defeating Liverpool at Old Trafford or before that if Brighton fail to beat Newcastle on Saturday and Bournemouth come up short against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Carrick inherited a team languishing in seventh when Amorim was dismissed following a breakdown in his relationship with director of football Jason Wilcox. European qualification remained the club’s ambition in January, but the dramatic turnaround in fortunes swiftly made a Champions League return the primary goal.

An impressive haul of 29 points from a possible 36 has propelled United into third place, with Carrick earning the wholehearted backing of his players, who are eager for him to remain in post.

Carrick was handed a contract until the end of the season upon his appointment in January, with United having maintained that the search for a permanent successor to Amorim would be a thorough and considered process.

There were influential figures involved who had their hearts set on an elite-level manager to arrive this summer, someone with the authority and standing to take charge of United and a track record to match, but as possibilities in that respect have diminished, Carrick’s own credentials to secure the position have strengthened.

Thomas Tuchel opted to pen a new deal with the Football Association and Luis Enrique is poised to pledge his future to Paris St-Germain, as is Carlo Ancelotti with Brazil. Nagelsmann has been linked to Old Trafford, and his friendship with the director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has been highlighted.

But there is a sense that United’s pursuit of Nagelsmann has been exaggerated, and it is understood the club aren’t willing to wait for a manager who is at the World Cup this summer. That eliminates the Germany boss, and he also has two years left on his deal with the German FA (DFB).

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner are emerging as Carrick’s principal competitors, with both departing their respective positions at the end of the campaign.

Neither possess the stature of some of their more prominent names considered for the role, however, and there is a belief inside the club that Carrick has demonstrated he has the character to handle the Old Trafford pressure cooker over the previous three-and-a-half months.

Carrick has proven to be a composed presence behind the scenes, serving as the ideal counterbalance to the more passionate, fiery Amorim. The manner in which he has conducted himself in the role and the efforts he has put in alongside his coaching staff on the training ground have left the club’s top brass suitably impressed.

With a Champions League berth now firmly within reach, Carrick looks set to be handed the opportunity to take on the role on a full-time basis. While no specific timeline has been set for a final decision, United are unlikely to let the uncertainty linger much beyond the conclusion of the current campaign.