Man Utd drop major hint that Michael Carrick's future is decided

Michael Carrick is playing an active role in Manchester United's summer transfer activity, perhaps representing the strongest indication yet that the club envisages a long-term future with him at the helm. The former midfielder stepped in to replace Ruben Amorim in January and has made a considerable impression during his tenure.

Crucially, Carrick signed a contract until the end of the season but was unveiled as the club's 'head coach' without any qualification or interim tag. Nevertheless, it was evident he had just a few months to persuade the hierarchy that he was the right man to steer the club forward.

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According to The Telegraph, Carrick is amongst several key figures providing input to the recruitment team of Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell as they seek to sign a central midfielder this summer. Names such as Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton are understood to be attracting interest, among others.

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Carrick also confirmed his involvement in the decision to extend Harry Maguire's stay at Old Trafford by a further year. "Certainly, in the role I'm in, there's decisions that need taking care of. I said it as soon as I came here – I'm part of that and whatever that looks like moving forward, I'm part of that," he said.

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From the very beginning, club legends such as Gary Neville and Roy Keane argued that United should look elsewhere for a more permanent appointment with a greater wealth of experience. Yet Carrick's growing influence would suggest the club may not be so easily swayed.

United are well-positioned to secure Champions League football and currently sit third in the Premier League table. Seven victories, two draws and a sole defeat since his arrival have opened up a seven-point cushion over sixth place, with Carrick's side also holding a game in hand.

The former Middlesbrough manager led his squad through a four-day training camp in the Republic of Ireland last week, and appears to have earned the wholehearted backing of his players. Amad and Bryan Mbeumo spoke up in support of their head coach during a press conference, and Carrick himself has acknowledged the solidarity within his dressing room.

"I think the most important thing for me about all that is that we're all pulling in the same direction," the head coach said.

"Whatever's said is going to be said, but I think the feeling, the willingness to do things together and to be positive, to be in a good place where we're positive and hopefully winning games, for me, that's the biggest thing really. After that, things will get solved in one way or another.

"I think it's nice for the boys to feel so positive and be in a good frame of mind that they're enjoying the football. Obviously, we want that to continue as much as possible."

Amad had described Carrick as the 'right man'. "He's been very great," said the forward.

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"He's been doing so much for the team, he has a lot of experience, and he knows the club, so we think he's the right man, but we are really happy for what he's doing right now."

Captain Bruno Fernandes' attention extends beyond the conclusion of the current campaign, as he hopes to see the club's performances under Carrick translate into a full season of reliability to achieve silverware.

"If we finish the way we want to finish, it's going to look very good, but it's still not the picture we want," Fernandes said. "[Can we] be the team we've been in this spell, but for a full season? Because anyone can be good in spells. Being good in the whole season is much more difficult.

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"That's something we haven't done since I'm here. We need that consistency. In a full league, every point matters. Every small detail will make a difference."

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