Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Michael Carrick is doing an excellent job as interim head coach

Naturally, Manchester United’s return will lead to calls to consider appointing Carrick to the position on a full-time basis.

But Ratcliffe refused to be drawn into appointing Carrick to a long-term position, saying: “No, I won’t go there.”

United entered the weekend in third place in the league with nine games left to play, on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since finishing third in the 2022-23 season.

“Obviously we’re thinking about that [Champions League qualification]“But there are still seven or eight games left, so there is still some time,” Ratcliffe said.

If Carrick succeeds in leading United to the Champions League, he will cement his tenure in the role beyond this season.

But Ratcliffe and the United board are fully aware they must get their next appointment right.

Ratcliffe opted to give Erik ten Hag a new contract after United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City in 2024 – only to sack him less than three months into the following season.

Amorim’s replacement was backed despite United finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.

After a mixed start to the season, Ratcliffe said in October that he hoped to give the Portuguese coach three years to prove he was the right man at Old Trafford.

However, Amorim was sacked last January, after only 14 months in office.