Michael Carrick offers major update on becoming permanent Man Utd manager as sources play down chances

 Michael Carrick has described managing Manchester United as the “ultimate role” after responding to questions about whether he would like the job permanently, though he could not resist a sly dig at Roy Keane over what the interim boss feels was a lack of “respect”.

The 44-year-old was handed the Manchester United reins until the end of the season after the club decided to axe Portuguese firebrand Ruben Amorim, who was dismissed after a disagreement over the club’s January transfer strategy and for having spoken out against the board.

Carrick provides a very different style of management to his predecessor, with the notable and most obvious change being in the formation of the side, a tweak which the players have clearly responded well to.

With United having won four of five games under his caretaker management – and the former Middlesbrough boss now boasting an 80% win percentage record across his two spells in charge – calls for Carrick to be installed as the permanent manager have grown significantly louder in recent weeks.

However, TEAMtalk sources are adamant United will not hurry into the decision and will continue to explore a number of other options for the post once the current campaign ends. To that end, it has been stressed to us from sources close to the situation that Carrick, at this stage, should not be considered favourite to take on the job.

Despite that, Carrick himself admits that he is loving life at Old Trafford and is eager to make the most of the opportunity, stressing the need to make the team successful.

He told BBC Sport: “For me, it’s the ultimate role. I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing. I’m fortunate.

“I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it, and I’m here to do it.

“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing.

“But, actually, I’m here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.

“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be, but I love being here and while I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”