Man Utd have set a deadline to have a new permanent manager in place with one top candidate âslipping under the radarâ, according to reports.
The Red Devils sacked Ruben Amorim in January as they looked to go in a different direction after a miserable 14 months under the Portuguese head coach.
Michael Carrick has been appointed as interim manager until the end of the season with their form turning around under the former Middlesbrough boss.
Carrick has won five and drawn one of his first six matches as Man Utd have shot up to fourth in the Premier League with a Champions League place in their hands.
There are now calls to make Carrick their next permanent manager after his great start and the Manchester Evening News claim that he âwill be handed a permanent contract should he secure Champions League qualification.â
If not, then Man Utd are âexpected to look elsewhereâ for a new head coach but the Red Devils have set a âdeadlineâ of âbefore the World Cup kicks off in North Americaâ on June 11 to appoint their new permanent boss.
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The report adds: âThis would enable the chosen one to monitor potential targets at the tournament and make signings, while planning pre-season preparations for the following month.â
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique âremains the preferred choice of numerous senior figuresâ but the âfearâ is that âhe will sign a contract extensionâ at the French club.
Former Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has âadmirers in the corridors of powerâ at Old Trafford but that isnât seen as a âviable option, while interest in Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone âhas slipped under the radarâ.
On Simeone, the MEN adds: âHis contract runs until 2027, so he would not command a huge amount of compensation. But whatever decision Ratcliffe & Co decide to make, getting it wrong is not an option. Because United have paid quite a price for doing just this in recent times.â
Football Insider reporter Pete OâRourke has revealed that Man Utdâs search for their next manager âgets more more complicated by the weekâ because of Carrickâs success.
OâRourke told Football Insider: âMan United are looking for a top, elite manager to come into the club this summer.
âBut their hunt for a new manager just gets more more complicated by the week because of the success of Michael Carrick.
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âIf Carrick continues this brilliant run of form, gets United in the top four, top three, Champions League football, thereâs going to be a swell for him to get the job on a permanent basis.
âSo it will be interesting to see how the season pans out from now. Man United are going really well under Carrick and youâd probably say he right now is in the driving seat.â
Man Utd legend Gary Neville has urged the Red Devils to continue to pursue another manager while it isnât nailed on that Carrick will get the job.
Neville said on Sky Sports: âManchester United have to pursue another manager right now around the fact that you donât know how the results are going to go. But little things like Thomas Tuchel re-signing with England does start to take away the options for Manchester United and they donât harm Michaelâs chances of getting the job.â
Neville added: âIf he gets United into the Champions League there will be a lot of fever around that should be appointed. Iâm not against him being appointed, I love him to bits.
âBut I think United should go for the best class of manager available. Theyâve had young and inexperienced managers in the last two picks. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come in before as an ex-player and that didnât work in the end. So I feel removing as much risk as possible is the right option.â
