Michael Carrick reveals Sir Jim Ratcliffe meeting as his Man Utd future hangs in the balance

Michael Carrick has five games left as interim manager of Manchester United and still doesn't know whether he will get the job permanently this summer after meeting Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Michael Carrick has revealed that he held a "casual" meeting with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week as the clock ticks towards a decision on his future. The interim manager remains none-the-wiser as to whether he will become the full-time boss this summer.

Carrick has won eight and drawn two of his 12 matches in charge of United since stepping into the void created by the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January. United sit third in the Premier League and are well on course to secure a return to the Champions League.

However, United's hierarchy have given no indication as to whether Carrick will be handed a new contract in the summer. Ratcliffe, director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada have made it clear they will hold fire on making a decision.

Despite the radio silence on the subject, former United midfielder Carrick is the frontrunner for the job, but he insists that such chat was not on the agenda when Ratcliffe popped into Carrington last week.

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"He came in. We had a chat. We had a cup of tea. Casual chat, to be honest, it was nice to see him showing his support, obviously," Carrick said ahead of United facing Brentford on Monday night. "That was it. It was quite informal, but it was nice to see him. I think as a football club we're hugely connected all the way through.

"I think it's a big part and I’m really conscious of that's how it should be, and I am trying to do my part with that, as well as is everybody else. So, I've felt that since I've been here since January for sure."

The club have been linked with Andoni Iraola since he announced he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season. But it is understood that they have not held talks with any candidates, with the hierarchy determined to wait until the season is over to make their call.

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If United do appoint Carrick on a long-term deal then the 44-year-old will keep his current coaching staff in place. Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, Steve Holland and Travis Binnion have made a huge impact on the training ground and Carrick is full of praise for his hastily-assembled team.

"Even though we came together specifically for the role here, we're all very clear in terms of what it looks like," said Carrick. "It's not something that we need to overly discuss, to be honest. I think we're all on the same page.

"We know it. It's pretty obvious, you know. I keep saying the same things in some ways every week, but it is what is. We're right, we're fine with that, and the coaches are fine with that.

"Sometimes you connect with people and you get on and you work together and you work well. For me, it is all about people, whether that's players or staff or supporters., family, whatever it is. I think connecting with people is really important to try and get the best out of each other.

"I have to say the staff have been absolutely top-class in different ways, different personalities, different roles. To come together in a coaching office that's not much bigger than the desk, to be around the desk day in day out when it's new and it's fresh takes a lot of effort, but credit to everyone, it's been all positive since we came together in January."

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