Manchester United are expected to appoint Michael Carrick as their permanent manager after a strong turnaround in the club’s fortunes under his interim leadership, British media reported on Wednesday.
Carrick took charge in January following the acrimonious departure of former coach Ruben Amorim and has guided United to Champions League qualification with three matches remaining.
United, who had missed out on Europe’s elite club competition for the previous two seasons, climbed from seventh to third in the Premier League under Carrick.
Since his appointment on Jan. 13, Carrick has won 10 of his 15 matches in all competitions and lost only twice. The Athletic reported that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox would recommend to co-owner Jim Ratcliffe that Carrick be handed the role permanently at an executive meeting later this week.
Although United explored alternative candidates, Carrick has long been viewed as the leading contender and has received public backing from several players, the report added.
Some bookmakers suspended betting on his appointment amid growing expectations he will land the job.
Carrick is due to address reporters on Friday ahead of United’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.