Michael Carrick has stated that "clarity is important" but remains more focused on ending the season strongly than resolving his long-term future at Manchester United. The interim manager has guided the Red Devils to a third-place Premier League finish and secured Champions League qualification with three games to spare, following a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool.
Carrick's Contract Situation
Carrick, who took over after Ruben Amorim's acrimonious departure in January, is out of contract at the end of the season. Despite his success, the club has yet to decide on a permanent head coach. Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland, Carrick emphasised the need for clarity but insisted he is not pressing for answers.
"Clarity is important," Carrick said. "I think moving forward, it's come at the time, right at the end of the season, where I think we've finished strong, put ourselves in a good position. And obviously the situation of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it's just the natural time. It was always spoke about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing has really changed, to be honest."
Player Support for Carrick
While Carrick remains calm, his squad has been vocal in their support. Kobbie Mainoo, who scored the winner against Liverpool, stated the team would "die for him." Other players, including Matheus Cunha, departing Casemiro, and Amad Diallo, have also backed him for the permanent role.
Carrick acknowledged the backing but remained focused on the task at hand. "I understand the question, I understand the timing of it, but from my point of view right at this stage it's just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly," he said.
Approach to Management
When asked if he would change his approach if given the long-term position, Carrick insisted he has always made decisions with the future in mind. "I've said from the start I've never approached a day here in terms of any short-term decisions. Whether that's different to the outlook of others, I don't know. But from myself and the staff we've made decisions for the longer-term for the group and individually, players, how we treat them and try to help develop them."
Carrick added that his philosophy would not alter, regardless of his job status. "I don't think it would really change the approach about how I've tried to go about things. It might be for other people looking towards me, maybe, or us – whether that is players, supporters or media. I don't know how that changes. Maybe we'll get to see, I don't know. But certainly, from my point of view, I've gone about it in a way that I feel is the right way to do it."
