Manchester United are assessing its options in the managerial market ahead of the new season.
When Michael Carrick took over from Darren Fletcher in January, he was handed the Manchester United head coach job until the end of the season, having narrowly beaten Ole Gunnar Solsjkær to the position.
However, with just five games left to play in the Premier League, it seems Carrick is a real contender for the permanent job next season and beyond, with United looking likely to qualify for the Champions League.
The final matches will be crucial in deciding Carrick's future. United face Brentford on Monday evening before another Old Trafford game against Liverpool. They will then make the trip to Sunderland, with Nottingham Forest at home and Brighton and Hove Albion away to end the season.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox had been looking at Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, but they have signed new contracts to keep them with their respective national sides. Luis Enrique, PSG manager, also looks likely to sign a new deal.
Fabrizio Romano confirms United's Carrick stance
It had been reported that United were considering Michael Carrick as an option due to his brilliant start as short-term head coach, but the poor results against West Ham, Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth would not have gone in his favour, not to mention the 2-1 loss to Leeds United after a 24-day break.
However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed United are still considering Carrick. He said: "The feeling internally at Manchester United is that they are very happy, but very happy with Michael Carrick recently, even more.
"He started very well, but in recent weeks, Michael Carrick is having serious, serious possibilities to take the permanent job at Man United. [They are] very happy with the results, very happy with the tactical approach, very happy with the attitude, very happy with the relationships.
"And that's a very important point. Relationships, manager, players. Michael Carrick [and the] players, very good, also with the leaders of the dressing room, with the young players as well. So very, very good relationship.
"So, Michael Carrick has good chances to continue Manchester United. Still, not something 100% decided."
United seemed to be favouring a more experienced head coach than Carrick, who has only managed Middlesbrough and the Red Devils, but his impressive stint to end the season may have given him the nod.
United's other options
While Carrick may not be United's ideal candidate to lead the club, he may be the best of the options available, after their top choices signed new contracts at international sides.
Julian Nagelsmann is another international head coach who has been linked with an Old Trafford switch, but he would not be able to join the club until after the World Cup, at which point United's pre-season would have already begun.
Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior are two high-profile head coaches who have recently been sacked, but neither are likely to be considered by United's higher-ups.
Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola have both confirmed they will leave their clubs at the end of the season. United have been linked to both managers before, but may choose to stick with Carrick.
Michael Carrick has an advantage over other options, as he is already at the club. United's recruitment department understand how he works and if he could succeed at Old Trafford, unlike the other options.