Michael Carrick press conference LIVE Man United injury boost amid future update

Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick will speak to the media ahead of the final home match of the season vs Nottingham Forest.

‌

Key Events

Involvement in talks

View Post

Sesko

View Post

Future

View Post

Casemiro

View Post

Here we go!

View Post

Fernandes wins major honour

View Post

United set target for Carrick announcement

Manchester United are hoping to confirm Michael Carrick's appointment as the club's next head coach before the final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Talks are underway between the club and Carrick to extend a contract that was due to expire at the end of the season and the 44-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal, with the option of a third.

Negotiations are also taking place with Carrick's coaching staff and all of Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion are expected to sign new contracts to stay at the club.

Read more here>>>

Carrick tells United fans what they want to hear

Michael Carrick has confirmed Casemiro will be available for Manchester United on Sunday as the Brazilian prepares to say farewell to Old Trafford. The 34-year-old missed the draw with Sunderland last weekend, sparking fears his United career could already be over, but he has returned to training this week and is in line to start against Nottingham Forest. Casemiro will leave the club after the final game of the season after four years at Old Trafford. He has experienced some highs and lows during his time at the club, but his spell under Carrick has been excellent and the head coach was full of praise for his impact.

Read more here>>>

Steve Holland

Steve has been fantastic. He’s got an awful lot of experience, he’s seen everything before, gone through it, some good times and more challenging times. He’s a very wise man, he says things that are important at the right time. Just general calmness and composure around for everyone, for me and my staff, the players as well, the dynamics of bringing something a bit different. Steve is in that role where he has the experience to lean on. There is absolutely no shame in that at all.

Involvement in talks

The future for me is going to be decided pretty soon, we knew that it was going to be towards the end of the season. Nothing has changed, there is no big swing on that. Whatever is beyond that is pretty close anyway.

Targets

You’ve got to aim upwards. That’s the beauty of football, beauty of competition to achieve something and back it up, that’s the challenge. For the players, for the squad, for the whole group and football club we want to keep moving in a positive way and in the right direction. The closer you get to the top the less room for progress, but progress is what we’re aiming for.

Sesko

Ben’s not as straightforward as Case. He’s still not 100% with the problem he has. Apart from that we’re alright.

Speech

I think that’s important anyway, regardless of the situation, the supporters are a massive part of this club. We thank them for the season and the support, the last four months for me personally. I know what you are getting at in terms of the future. Regardless of that, for what we’ve gone through and that connection, the players have felt that, it’s important we have that anyway. It’s important for me to thank the fans for that.

What this job has meant

It’s a unique football club, a special club. Immensely proud to have come back and been a part of it, to help as a supporter and ex-player, as a pure supporter caring about the club so much to be in a position to come back and help and move forward was important. To make a big step, and back in the Champions League is good, we’re happy with the work we’ve done so far.

Future

I can't blame you for asking. There’s two games to go, apart from that there’s not much else to say, probably what you expect. The situation is pretty clear for us all. Same as in terms of preparing for the game.

Casemiro

Case’s available. I can speak since I’ve been here and met him and worked with him, he's been fantastic for us, for me personally, for us as a group what he’s given us. That certainty helps, knowing the situation, for him and for us, for him to get in a place where he can give absolutely everything know it’s going to come to an end. Credit to him for the way he’s gone about that. It is easy to go the other way. He’s fully invested, fully supported by us as a staff in the performances he’s given. He’s had some ups and downs over the year, to finish so strongly and see that connection with the supporters is really good to see.

Here we go!

Carrick is here and this is what he had to say...

Moments away

We are moments away from hearing what Carrick has to say...

Fernandes on Carrick future

Speaking on the interim head coach's future, Fernandes said:

I said many times that I’ve worked under [him] before as an assistant manager, I had the opportunity to be with him for three games and I always said that Michael has a great character to become a top manager and the qualities everyone could see he had as a player. When as a player you can think and see the game as a player as he was doing, you can also do it from the bench. It’s a different thing but when you have that calmness from the bench and that experience you know there could be a potential manager and he’s showing that. He did very well at Middlesbrough. It didn’t work out for him this season - maybe luckily. Because then he was available for the club and then he had the chance to come back and he has done an amazing job for the end of the season. It’s going to be on the club to make a decision as to whether they keep faith with him or to go on another way.

Read more here>>>

Fingers crossed for Casemiro

United will be desperate to hear good news regarding the fitness of Casemiro. He missed the trip to Sunderland last weekend but returned to Carrington training this week. With this his last chance to play at Old Trafford, the Reds will hope he has got through unscathed.

Fernandes' thoughts on personal awards

The United captain is clear about what it means to win personal awards.

It means a lot, I’ve always said that I’d rather it was a collective award rather than individual ones but, as a player, you would rather this type of occasion to also show you are doing things right. But also I want to achieve everything that those players achieved in terms of winning with the club. But being in their company with this award is massively important for me and I won’t hide from that.

Read more here>>>

Not long now

The embargo from Carrick's press conference will lift in 30 minutes. Follow all the updates from the press conference right here!

Ferguson's thoughts emerge on appointing Carrick

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Carrick's anticipated appointment as Manchester United's permanent manager. United have considered alternative candidates but Carrick has consistently been viewed as the leading contender. Significantly, as reported by the Mirror this week, co-owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe agree that he merits remaining in the role. That support extends to the club's most successful ever manager, Ferguson.

Since stepping down in 2013, the Scot was frequently consulted on managerial matters. While that hasn't occurred on this occasion, it is understood he supports the likely permanent appointment of Carrick.

Read more here>>>

What's on the agenda?

Here's what we expect Carrick to discuss in his press conference this afternoon:

His future

Fernandes

FA Youth Cup controversy

Casemiro

Injury news

Forest challenge

One hour to go!

We are just an hour away from hearing what Carrick has to say. His future is likely to be brought up again as is Fernandes after the awards he has racked up today.

Heaven being 'put in his place' in United dressing room

Ayden Heaven might be the funniest person in the Manchester United dressing room – but Mason Mount has revealed that doesn't mean the youngster isn’t put in place by his team-mates. Heaven has made 18 appearances for United this season, having moved to Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Arsenal in 2025. The 19-year-old has impressed for the Reds, which has resulted in him earning praise from his team-mates, while he also trained with Thomas Tuchel’s England senior squad back in March.

And it appears that Heaven is a player who doesn't take himself too seriously, as when asked who the funniest person in the United dressing room is, Mount revealed: “I don’t want to say it, but it is Ayden. He is just silly. He is a youngster and he is silly about everything."

Read more here>>>

Fernandes sends a reminder

A reminder, if it was needed, how influential Fernandes has been for the Reds this season. The captain has swept up the awards today from the club to add to his Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. The 31-year-old has also been nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Year award. It has been a superb season for him and another couple of assists would cap it off.

Fernandes wins major honour

United's captain has won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a record-breaking fifth time. He has moved one clear of his former teammates David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo. He received the honour for the first time in 2020 and has won it consecutively since 2024.

Gabriel shows true colours after FA Youth Cup final despair

United youngster JJ Gabriel has vowed to learn from the lessons of United's FA Youth Cup defeat to rivals Manchester City. The young Reds were beaten 2-1 by their local rivals, with Reigan Heskey scoring a late winner in the 87th minute in front of his father, former Liverpool and England forward Emile. It proved to be decisive so late on in the game, after United's Godwill Kukonki had equalised following Floyd Samba's first-half opener. Much of the buildup had been focused on City's 16-year-old Teddie Lamb and United's 15-year-old Gabriel, both of whom have been free scoring this season.

Lamb, who has netted 28 times in as many outings this campaign, saw a close-range attempt denied by Cameron Byrne-Hughes in the 24th minute. Gabriel, with 26 goals in 29 matches, pipped Lamb to the Premier League's under-18 player of the year honour earlier this week.

Read more here>>>

Two hours to go!

We are two hours away from discovering what Carrick has to say ahead of Sunday's clash with Forest. There will be plenty to discuss today...

United launch new 2026/27 kit

United have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27 season and will wear it for the first time against Nottingham Forest this weekend. The kit was glimpsed for the first time at Old Trafford on Wednesday when a giant poster on the outside of the stadium overlooking the forecourt went up.

It has now been officially released to the public and went on sale at Fanatics from 9am this morning. The Adidas kit will be worn in the Champions League next season and will see the agreement with the sportsweat giant return to usual levels, with a £10million deduction for non-Champions League seasons written into the contract.

Take a look at how you can buy the kit here>>>

Further accolade for Fernandes

The Reds' captain has been named United's Players' Player of the Year. Fernandes becomes the fifth player to win this award multiple times since it was introduced in 2005/06 season. Cristiano Ronaldo won it in 2007 and 2008, Antonio Valencia bagged it in 2012 and 2017, David de Gea won it a record four times (2014, 2015, 2018, 2022) while Luke Shaw was honoured in 2019 and 2021.

Fernandes won this award for the first time last season.

United youngsters' reactions spoke volumes after FA Youth Cup final defeat

Chido Obi's hands were planted on his hips as Reigan Heskey wheeled over to the corner to celebrate Manchester City's matchwinner. The first all-Manchester FA Youth Cup final in 40 years did not go as Manchester United's talented young players had planned. City had won the Youth Cup four times before adding another trophy to their collection on Thursday night. They have made inroads on United's record number of wins over the last decade, but the Reds still have a healthy lead.

That fact wouldn't have been of any comfort to United's youngsters who slumped to the turf at the final whistle. For some of the second years in the squad, this season's competition was their last chance to win the Youth Cup, and their reactions spoke volumes.

Read more here>>>

Fernandes names two major targets he wants to achieve

Bruno Fernandes wants to stick his name into the Premier League record books by beating Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry's assists record. And then he wants to lead Manchester United to the title.

Fernandes, who has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year after an outstanding individual campaign, is just one assist short of equalling the Premier League record of 20, jointly held by ex-Manchester City star De Bruyne and the iconic former Arsenal striker.

Read more here>>>

Mainoo recognition

After a tough start to the season, Mainoo's form since the turn of the year has earned him a spot among the Premier League's Young Player of the Season nominees. He will go up against:

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki

West Ham's Matheus Fernandes

Newcastle's Lewis Hall

Brentford's Michael Kayode

Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi

Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly

Bournemouth's Alex Scott

Fernandes gains Premier League nomination

Carrick is not the only United man being recognised by the Premier League. Fernandes has been nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Season award. His competition includes:

Arsenal's Gabriel

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White

Manchester City's Erling Haaland

Arsenal's David Raya

Arsenal's Declan Rice

Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo

Brentford's Igor Thiago

Follow Manchester Evening News:

‌

Click here to read article