Manchester United are set to speak to Michael Carrick about staying in charge beyond the end of the season and players are keen to stay and play for the manager.

The 44-year-old has surpassed the expectations of many since taking over for the remainder of the campaign in January following an acrimonious end to Ruben Amorim’s rocky Red Devils reign.

Carrick has overseen a marked improvement in mood and results, with United clinching Champions League qualification with three matches to spare and on the verge of securing third spot in the Premier League.

That upturn has put the club’s former midfielder, captain and coach in pole position to stay in a post it is understood he will speak to the club about before the end of the season.

United have explored other options but Carrick has long been considered the front-runner for a job that he has been publicly backed for by a number of players.

The Athletic reports that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox will this week recommend he is offered the role at an executive meeting.

Carrick is set to face the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, when Casemiro will get a chance to bid farewell to the Old Trafford faithful.

The popular 34-year-old midfielder, who joined from Real Madrid in 2022, confirmed in January that he would be leaving United when his contract expired this summer.

Casemiro has shone since then, scoring five goals, and has missed only one game - Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Sunderland - in the Carrick era.

But the Brazil international was back training with the group on Wednesday morning along with Manuel Ugarte, who was also absent for the Wearside trip due to a back complaint.

United players delighted playing under Carrick

Fabrizio Romano told his Youtube channel "it's a matter of days" before Carrick's stay is confirmed, and the reporter also shared some insight from the dressing room.

The manager has been praised for his role in restoring Kobbie Mainoo to the United XI, with the 21 year-old nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award and expected to feature in Thomas Tuchel's England squad this summer.

But he's not the only one feeling a new lease of life under Carrick, according to Romano, with Bruno Fernandes also delighted with the current situation and looking more likely to stay put after a summer of speculation last time around.

Fernandes is one of the highest earners at the club on £300,000-a-week, and will now become the top dog on the United wage list once Casemiro departs this summer.

Carrick will need to prove he can do more than just restore the feel good factor next season, but with plans to spend significantly on summer signings, he will certainly have the right tools at his disposal to do just that.