Michael Carrick's prospects of securing the Manchester United managerial role on a permanent basis have received a significant boost, with Andoni Iraola being removed from the list of potential contenders. The outgoing Bournemouth manager, who is on the verge of guiding the Cherries to European qualification, has seen his stock rise considerably since his arrival in England. He will be available on the market this summer and has been linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford.
However, according to the Daily Mail, the Old Trafford hierarchy are not considering appointing the Spaniard, meaning Carrick has seen off another rival for the position he currently holds on an interim basis. United have refrained from making a final decision, but Carrick's remarkable run of 10 wins in 15 games, with only two losses, has propelled the team to third place and secured Champions League football, a feat that seemed improbable earlier in the season.
Despite this, no definitive decision has been made regarding the former player. Nevertheless, Iraola will not be replacing him, leaving the Bournemouth boss free to explore other opportunities, with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and La Liga clubs all expressing interest.
As it stands, Carrick appears to have won over the decision-makers. The 44-year-old is expected to be rewarded with a new contract, while his backroom staff, including Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion, are all set to remain as his assistants. There have been calls for clarity before the Premier League season concludes, with United's final match against Brighton. Having a manager in place will aid the club in the transfer market, as potential signings will want to know who they will be playing under.
United have been keen to avoid a repeat of the situation that led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being handed the job permanently. The Norwegian was initially appointed as an interim in late 2018, but an impressive winning streak prompted the club to give him the role full-time after just a few months. However, he failed to deliver any silverware during his three-year tenure. Since Solskjaer's departure, United have had Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim as permanent managers but remain no closer to winning the Premier League, a title they have not claimed since 2013.
