Carrick says he is 'part of' planning for next season in update on his Man Utd future

Michael Carrick says he is 'part of' planning for next season as he gave an update on his future at Manchester United.

He does not know if he will be United's manager next season but he pointed out that whatever happens, decisions need to be taken care for the future of the team.

The interim manager confirmed he is taking an active role in planning for next season, involved in contract decisions alongside chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox — even as his own future officially remains unresolved.

Harry Maguire's new one-year deal, signed this week, was one such decision that Carrick had direct input on.

"Certainly, in the role I'm in, there's decisions that need taking care of," Carrick said. "I said it as soon as I came here — I'm part of that and whatever that looks like moving forward, I'm part of that. I'm trying to improve things and make things better all the time.

"Certainly there's conversations in different directions and different things that I'm definitely part of. And I think it should be that way anyway, because things need done. So I'm here to take care of that."

Since taking charge in mid-January Carrick has won six of his nine Premier League games, lifted United from the bottom half of the table to third and transformed the mood of a dressing room that was fractured and demoralised under Ruben Amorim.

The players back him. The fans have warmed to him. And the language he is using about next season suggests the club's hierarchy are moving in the same direction.

He is not behaving like a caretaker. He is not shuffling through the days until someone makes a decision about his future. He is acting like a permanent manager — shaping the squad for next season, driving the club forward and making calls that will have consequences well beyond the end of this campaign.

It is a remarkable position to be in. Carrick arrived with no guarantee of anything beyond a few months. He could have protected himself — avoided bold decisions, stayed out of long-term planning, focused purely on results and left the rest to others. Instead he has thrown himself in completely. And now, whether officially confirmed or not, it increasingly feels like Manchester United have found their next permanent manager.

In the more immediate term, Carrick faces a significant selection call for Monday night's clash with Leeds United at Old Trafford. With Maguire suspended following his red card at Bournemouth, the question of whether Lisandro Martinez is ready to return to the starting lineup is the defining team news story of the week.

Martinez has missed five games with a calf problem but took a full part in the Dublin training camp, which is an encouraging sign. Carrick was characteristically measured in his assessment of the Argentine's readiness — clear that he will not be rushed back before he is genuinely fit.

"We wouldn't be pushed into anything. That's a decision that we'll take," Carrick said. "He's back training, which is great, and back on the grass. But we've certainly got to make the right decision and make sure he's ready. It's important, as the next game always is, but the most important is the bigger picture."

That final line is telling. Carrick is not just thinking about Leeds. He is thinking about the seven games remaining, the Champions League push and getting his best players to the end of the season in the best possible shape. Martinez starting against Leeds prematurely and breaking down again would be far more damaging than missing one more game.

If Martinez is not ready to start, the most likely central defensive partnership is Leny Yoro alongside Ayden Heaven — both of whom have impressed during the periods they have been called upon this season and both of whom represent exactly the kind of young talent Carrick has developed so effectively since January.

While Martinez's return is a positive story, the situation regarding Matthijs de Ligt is considerably more concerning. The Dutch centre-back did not even travel to Dublin with the rest of the squad, continuing his rehabilitation from the back injury that has kept him out since November.

Carrick gave an honest assessment of where De Ligt stands — and it makes for difficult reading for a player who cost United significant money and has barely featured this season.

"Matta's not quite at that stage yet," Carrick said. "Obviously he's in the gym and he's doing work but he's not quite on the grass and he's not ready for that yet. Unfortunately when you're injured you've kind of got to go through it and sometimes it happens quicker than others. Sometimes there's things that don't quite go to plan and it's a bit slower and he's just at that stage where he's working through that at the moment and we're trying to get him back right."

Patrick Dorgu is further back than Martinez in his own recovery from a thigh injury and is not expected to feature in the near future either.

Step back from the immediate team news and the picture that emerges is of a manager who has earned the right to be trusted with United's future — not just the next seven games.

Carrick is involved in transfer decisions. He is shaping contract renewals. He is developing young players. He is winning matches. He is doing everything a permanent manager would do, with none of the security that comes with that title.

United face Leeds on Monday night in third place, seven points clear of sixth, with Champions League qualification almost certain. The players go into that game believing in their manager. The dressing room is united. The club is moving in the right direction for the first time in years.

"Things need done." Carrick said it himself. And everything he is doing suggests he intends to be the one doing them — next season and beyond.