Michael Carrick has stated that he will not 'chase' Sir Jim Ratcliffe for an answer regarding his future as Manchester United's head coach. He has also dismissed comparisons with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure as caretaker manager at Old Trafford.
Earlier this week, Daily Mail Sport reported that Carrick is the frontrunner to secure the managerial role on a permanent basis, following an impressive run of eight victories in 12 matches that has brought United to the verge of Champions League qualification.
This situation bears some resemblance to Solskjaer's three-year stint, where he initially impressed as an interim manager but struggled to maintain that success after being appointed full-time. Carrick, who was chosen over Solskjaer in January, was hesitant to draw parallels between the two scenarios, noting that he served as part of the Norwegian's coaching staff.
'I have the utmost respect for him,' Carrick said. 'He is a close friend, and I worked closely with him during my time here. I was quite attached to that period, and we accomplished many good things. We came close. Ultimately, things changed and took a different direction. That is football. You can compare it to various situations involving managers, coaches, and teams over the years. It just depends on what you choose to compare, but it is irrelevant really. That is neither negative nor positive. There is simply no link at all.'
'We are a different team now, regardless of me or who is in charge. It is a different team and a different time. So I do not think comparisons make any difference.'
Carrick held discussions with minority owner Ratcliffe at Carrington on Monday but is still awaiting clarity on whether he will be offered the full-time position. United are reportedly keen to delay the decision until they have secured a spot in the Champions League.
'It is not something I am chasing in terms of a deadline,' Carrick added. 'It will become clear when it becomes clear. There is only so much I can say, but I love being here. It is a real privilege to be in this position, and I am thriving with the responsibility we have.'
