Michael Carrick said clarity on his role would come “in a few days” after he steered Manchester United to a third-place Premier League finish after a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
With the club expected to confirm Carrick as permanent manager imminently, the 44-year-old said the immediate priority on Sunday had been securing the result and rounding off a resurgent campaign on a high at Old Trafford.
Appointed on an interim basis in January, Carrick has overseen a steady climb up the table, culminating in Champions League qualification, and he framed the season as a significant achievement given United’s starting point.
When asked yet again about his job status at Old Trafford, Carrick insisted that the final-day victory had to take center stage over his own position.
“Over the coming days, there’ll be clarity in the situation,” he said.
“I think it was a case that today was important about the game and getting the right result, and some individuals as well shining today, so whatever the news is going to be, I’m sure you’ll get clarity in a few days.”
Luke Shaw opened the scoring with a rare goal before Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo struck in the second half – with Cunha’s goal given despite an apparent handball.
Bruno Fernandes equalled the record of 20 Premier League assists when teeing up Mbeumo.
Reflecting on the performance and United’s resurgence under his stewardship to seal a top-four spot, Carrick added:
“We were really conscious of trying to finish on a bit of a high, we’ve made some really good strides as a team and as a club. It’s easy to get to this stage and, being part of it myself, that extra spark’s not there, so I think to finish like we did for so many reasons was a good day for us.
“Today the way Bruno did it was a really nice moment for everybody. Credit to him for that because it’s not easy, but he always puts himself behind the team and the team first.
“Today was another one of those days, even though he’s going to get the praise because it is a fantastic achievement.”
Looking ahead to international duties, Carrick also backed Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, and the injury-plagued Shaw – who scored his first goal in more than three years – to earn England call-ups for the upcoming World Cup.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his tournament squad this coming Friday at Wembley, and Carrick believes his players have done everything required to be on the plane.
“I haven’t got much sway in the matter at all, but I certainly think so. Between them, all three of them have done their chances no harm recently for sure.”
