Man United latest: Michael Carrick makes Ruben Amorim change as Marcus Rashford deal agreed

Manchester United are on the up under Michael Carrick, who has been implementing widespread changes at the club

Things seem to be finally heading in the right direction at Manchester United.

A resurgence in form has thrust the club back into contention for a top-four finish - and elevated interim head coach Michael Carrick into serious consideration for the permanent job.

After the former Red Devils midfielder assumed control in the wake of Ruben Amorim's exit, United have regained composure, belief and a clearer tactical identity. Statement wins against Manchester City and Arsenal established early momentum, and in the matches since, the squad have demonstrated a consistency that has been largely absent in recent years.

Although there have been occasional bumps along the way, it is difficult to mount serious criticism of Carrick's first few weeks at the helm. The 44-year-old is tied down only until the end of the season, yet a broader blueprint is already emerging under his guidance. Here's a look at the latest United-related headlines.

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Rashford agreement reached

Marcus Rashford has reportedly agreed personal terms with Barcelona as discussions continue over a permanent switch to the Camp Nou. The attacker has been on loan from United throughout the campaign and has spoken candidly about wanting to prolong his spell beyond the summer.

The temporary deal includes a £26million option to buy clause - a fee the Catalan club are ready to activate. The sticking point, however, had revolved around Rashford's wage expectations.

The 28-year-old is earning roughly £325,000 per week at Old Trafford, a salary Barcelona were reluctant to match. However, it is now believed that Rashford has accepted a sizeable reduction in pay to help facilitate what he considers a dream transfer.

Since moving to La Liga, Rashford has delivered 10 goals and 13 assists across 35 outings in all competitions. With Amorim - whose falling out with Rashford forced the forward out on loan - now gone, there was talk that he might be welcomed back into the fold at United this summer.

But with personal terms for a permanent move to Barcelona now virtually finalised, the likelihood of him returning to Old Trafford appears slim.

Carrick's crucial change

Carrick is already enjoying the rewards of revamping his support staff at United. Since being appointed in January, the ex-Middlesbrough manager has implemented a number of firm adjustments designed to address the flaws that defined Amorim's spell.

At the heart of the revamp has been the addition of know-how and leadership within the coaching ranks. The appointment of Steve Holland has been especially significant, with the former Chelsea and England national team assistant widely praised for reinstating structure and defensive discipline.

Carrick has also turned to individuals with extensive familiarity with English football and the club's culture. Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion and Craig Mawson have each contributed significantly behind the scenes during United's revival.

On the field, Carrick's readiness to scrap Amorim's much-scrutinised 3-4-2-1 formation in favour of a more traditional 4-2-3-1 setup has drawn approval. His choice to restore Kobbie Mainoo to the side has likewise earned acclaim, along with Carrick's composed and thoughtful approach.

In contrast, Amorim's tenure was perceived as considerably stricter, with backroom members seldom questioning the Portuguese boss and frequently holding back until he had concluded his remarks before sharing their views. The more inclusive and cooperative culture introduced by Carrick seems to have resonated - and the improved outcomes are mirroring that transformation.

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