Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick is hoping to extend his stay at the club beyond the end of the season.
The 44-year-old rejoined the club on interim basis earlier in the week until the end of the current campaign, following the departure of Ruben Amorim.
Carrick beat competition from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud Van Nistelrooy to the role, taking over from ex-teammate Darren Fletcher, who assumed the role for just two matches.
Speaking during the prematch conference ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby, the former Middlesbrough manager was keen on remaining at the club for a long-term.
“I think we’re realistic about where we are at the moment, why I’m here and the role I’ve got to do”, the former Man United midfielder revealed.
“That doesn’t change how we go about it in the day-to-day and the focus and making decisions for the long-term strategy of the group. I’m certainly not coming in thinking it’s a time where week-to-week, game-to-game, we’ve got to get through it and tick each one off. I think we want to plan to improve beyond this season.
“All I can control is what we give the players and how we create the atmosphere around the group. That’s the main focus and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Carrick previously managed Manchester United for three games in 2021 following the dismissal of Solksjaer and has been out of job since he left Middlesbrough in 2025.
His task at Old Trafford does not get easier with games against city rivals Manchester City and then Arsenal to come in his first two matches.
“I’m here because I enjoy the role and I wanted to do it and I’m hugely privileged to be in this position. That’s kind of where I am, it doesn’t change whatever the term or whatever the length [of contract]”, he added
“I’m here to do my best and hopefully I’ve got a lot of experience of what it takes and where we need to get to and I’ll try and help with that.”
Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford in Saturday’s early kickoff encounter, in what will be Carrick’s first game back at the dugout.
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