Michael Carrick is eager to see Manchester United's improvement continue as he sets his sights on next season and beyond. The head coach, who has broadly agreed to terms on a new contract at Old Trafford, wants the team to keep progressing after a successful interim stint.
Carrick's Impact at Manchester United
The 44-year-old former midfielder took over for the remainder of the campaign following Ruben Amorim's departure in January. Under Carrick, United have seen a marked upturn in form, securing Champions League qualification with three games to spare. A deal could be signed before Sunday's final home match against Nottingham Forest.
Carrick emphasized the importance of continuous improvement: "You've always got to aim upwards, for sure. That's just the beauty of football and competition – to achieve something, to back it up, to improve on things. That's always the challenge." He added, "For the players, the squad, the whole group, and the football club, we only keep moving in a positive direction. The closer you get to the top, there's less room for progress, but progress is certainly what needs to be aimed for."
Coaching Staff Contributions
Carrick has been supported by a coaching staff including Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion, Jonathan Woodgate, and Steve Holland. Holland, who spent 11 years as Sir Gareth Southgate's assistant with England, has been praised for his role as United's number two.
"Steve's been fantastic," Carrick said. "He's got an awful lot of experience and has seen pretty much everything before, through good times and challenging ones. He's a very wise man who says important things at the right time. His calmness and composure help everyone – me, my staff, and the players. All the staff bring something different, and Steve's experience is something we can lean on, with no shame in that."
Team News Ahead of Nottingham Forest Clash
United will hope to benefit from that experience on Sunday when Casemiro bids farewell to Old Trafford before his contract expires. The 34-year-old midfielder has been cleared to play after missing the 0-0 draw at Sunderland. Manuel Ugarte has also trained after sitting out that match through injury.
However, Matthijs de Ligt is out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing surgery on a back issue. Benjamin Sesko is dealing with a shin injury that forced him off against Liverpool. Carrick noted, "Ben's not as straightforward as Case. He's still not 100 per cent with the problem he had. Apart from that, we're all right."
