Michael Carrick responds to reports of two-year Manchester United deal - 'Future decided soon'

The former United and England midfielder replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January on an interim basis and has safely guided the club back to the UEFA Champions League.

With two games remaining in the Premier League season, The Red Devils have a firm hold on third place behind runaway leaders Arsenal and Manchester City, with Liverpool sitting six points behind in fourth, with a worse goal difference.

On Friday, media reports claimed that Carrick is in talks to take the job at Old Trafford on a permanent basis this summer on a two-year deal with the option of a third.

However, he would not confirm those reports when facing the media ahead of United’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

"The future for me is going to be ​decided pretty soon,” Carrick said.

”We knew that was going to be towards the end of the season, ⁠if not the end of the season, so nothing's changed.

"There's no big swing on that. That is what it is, you know. Obviously, whatever's beyond that is pretty ​close around the corner anyway."

Carrick, 44, is said to be a popular choice with the players, while his record of 10 wins in 15 games has made his claim impossible to ignore.

He was already a fan favourite after spending 12 years at Old Trafford as a player from 2006 to 2018, winning five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

"It's a unique football club, special, special football club," said Carrick.

"I'm immensely ​proud to have come back and to be part of it, to help as a supporter. As an ex-player and an ​ex-employee is one thing, but as a pure supporter and caring about the club so much, to be in a position to come back ‌and help ⁠as a group to move forward was important."

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash with Forest, Carrick revealed that Brazil international Casemiro will be fit to feature.

It will mark the midfielder’s Old Trafford farewell after four years at the club as he prepares to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

"Casemiro is available. He gave ​absolutely everything in every aspect, ​knowing that it was going ⁠to come to an end at the end of the season," Carrick said.

A draw will be enough to guarantee third place for United and best-of-the-rest status behind the top two a year after finishing well out of the European places in 15th.

"I think taking ​the big step to get back into the Champions League is good, and I'm absolutely happy with the work that we've done so far," Carrick said.

Following the Forest clash, United will round off their campaign away to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, May 24.

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