Michael Carrick’s elevation to permanent manager arrives after an interim run that revived Manchester United’s form in the second half of the season. Going into the final weekend the club are guaranteed to finish third, only a fifth top-three placing in 13 seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Ole Gunnar Solskjær managed two of those finishes in 2019–20 and 2020–21, with José Mourinho (2017–18) and Erik ten Hag (2022–23) providing the others.

Twelve months on from a worst-ever Premier League season under Ruben Amorim there is renewed optimism at Old Trafford. Recruitment is required, but the squad’s framework looks healthier and Champions League income will be important.

There are clear winners. Kobbie Mainoo’s season is extraordinary. He had not started a single Premier League game before Ruben Amorim’s departure in early January. Under Carrick he has started 15 of 16, missing only one match through injury — United lost without him. Carrick, a former deep-lying playmaker, has publicly valued Mainoo’s attributes and championed the 21-year-old from day one.

Bruno Fernandes has also benefited. The captain had opportunities to leave in recent transfer windows but stayed and has been rewarded as Carrick’s setup has allowed him greater freedom to create and increase his assists.

Carrick’s longevity at the club matters. With 15 years at Manchester United behind him, his approach has tapped into what supporters expect: fast, direct football focussed on creating chances. The change has involved simplifying overly intricate systems that preceded him. During his playing career Carrick came through the ranks at West Ham United, becoming an established first-team player from the age of 19, and he has signalled a desire to promote youth. “A massive part of me, and for this football club, is to try and bring the younger players on and give them opportunities to see what they can do, for sure,” he said this month. That could eventually include 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel next season.

The contrast with the Amorim tenure is stark. His recruitment split the senior leadership and contributed to the end of Dan Ashworth’s brief reign as sporting director, while his tactical plan never suited the players. Had Carrick not succeeded, Andoni Iraola was once viewed as the leading alternative after his work with Bournemouth, but the club elected otherwise.

Not all reaction has been positive. Roy Keane said Carrick was “absolutely not” the right long-term choice and declared: “If United win every game until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t be giving him the job. I still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job. They need a bigger and better manager. Are we going to sit here and believe Michael Carrick can get United winning league titles? It’s not enough for me.”

Manuel Ugarte’s time as a Manchester United player might now draw to a close.

Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as their permanent manager, ending the interim period that followed a strong run of results. The former midfielder has been rewarded with a two-year contract understood to include the option of a further 12 months.

Carrick’s early impact as caretaker was immediate. A 2–0 victory over Manchester City and a subsequent 3–2 win against Arsenal were the first two results in a seven-game unbeaten run that intensified calls for a permanent appointment. Those performances helped underpin a record of 11 wins from 16 games under his stewardship.

That sequence took Carrick onto the shortlist for the Premier League Manager of the Year award and, crucially for the club, steered United back into the Champions League with a confirmed third-place finish.

During his interim spell Carrick has been actively reflecting on the squad and offering input on transfers, though most formal recruitment work was deferred until a permanent manager was in place. United officials made clear they wanted clarity in the dugout before authorising significant decisions, and with Champions League qualification secured they moved to end the uncertainty.

With the appointment formalised, attention will shift quickly to constructing a squad that fits Carrick’s ideas. His preferred style of play has already been apparent during the run of positive results, and that aligns with the boardroom’s assessment of where reinforcements are needed. Those in charge want more midfield options and it is clear that Carrick shares that view.

The club will now enter a planning phase with a permanent manager installed, ensuring transfer strategy and squad development can proceed with Carrick’s input. United officials will look to convert the interim momentum into sustained progress as the manager prepares to shape the squad in his image for next season.

Casemiro is reportedly closing in on a transfer to Inter Miami, but the negotiations are said to “run afoul” of Major League Soccer procedures governing Discovery Rights.

Offers from the Saudi Pro League have been made, yet the Brazil international appears inclined towards MLS. LA Galaxy secured the Discovery Rights for the five-time Champions League winner, a mechanism that gives a club first refusal on a player and is intended to prevent direct competition among MLS clubs for the same target.

According to The Athletic, Inter Miami are in advanced discussions despite that convention. While this approach is not considered in the spirit of the rule, clubs have previously resolved similar situations through financial compensation. In Casemiro’s case, no such settlement has been announced.

The report adds that the player “wants” to play for Miami and “a deal is expected to be reached.” LA Galaxy did not sit on their Discovery Rights; the West Coast club held “numerous conversations” with Casemiro and his representatives and put “multiple” offers on the table, but those offers were turned down.

No agreement between Miami and the Galaxy has been confirmed, but sources suggest both sides hope a resolution can be found. Inter Miami’s attraction is clear: the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi.

Casemiro is a Brazil international and a former Real Madrid star who has built a reputation across Europe, including five Champions League titles. He has spent much of his career competing directly against Messi. As Casemiro has admitted himself, he would welcome the chance to play alongside Messi for once.

The story remains fluid. Negotiations involve MLS rules, competing international offers and discussions between clubs and the player’s camp. For now, the reported preference for Miami sits alongside unresolved Discovery Rights questions and no formal transfer has been completed.