Latest Manchester United manager news: Michael Carrick is close to signing as Old Trafford coach

Michael Carrick is close to agreeing a deal to return to Manchester United as caretaker coach for the rest of the season.

Talks have progressed and the former United and England midfielder, 44, is set to take charge of Saturday’s derby match against Manchester City (12:30 GMT).

Club bosses hope to set a date when the players return to training on Wednesday.

Carrick previously spent three games as United’s caretaker coach following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

He won two and drew one of those matches but left after the arrival of Ralf Rangnick as caretaker manager.

It is known that Carrick has great support from within the United team and from Ineos, which manages football affairs at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer held direct discussions with the club on Saturday about a return.

United sacked Ruben Amorim as manager after 14 months in the job on January 5.

Darren Fletcher, the former United and Scotland midfielder, was initially handed temporary responsibility for first-team affairs following Amorim’s departure.

United were beaten in the FA Cup third round by Brighton on Sunday in what appears to be Fletcher’s second and final game in charge. He led the team to a draw with struggling Burnley in the English Premier League last Wednesday.