Manchester United

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (12:30 GMT) between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, which is set to be Casemiro's final home appearance for the Red Devils.

Manchester United sealed Champions League qualification with victory over Liverpool in their previous home match – and securing a return to Europe's top competition appears increasingly likely to earn head coach Michael Carrick the job on a permanent basis.

He was this week named on a six-man shortlist for the Premier League's Manager of the Season award. He has reportedly now also been endorsed by senior figures within the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to recommend to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the former Middlesbrough boss is offered a new contract.

Casemiro's Old Trafford farewell

United have lost their final home league game just once in the past 18 seasons and will be keen to ensure veteran midfielder Casemiro bows out on a high in his final home appearance.

The Brazilian, 34, has played a pivotal role for United this season, starting 32 of 36 top-flight fixtures and scoring a career-best nine league goals.

While his departure will free up a sizeable chunk of the club's wage budget to invest in more long-term options, replacing the former Real Madrid star won't be easy.

United have won 54.7% of the matches he has featured in since arriving in 2022, compared to just 38% when he has been absent. They have also scored more goals per game, and conceded fewer, when he has been involved.

In-form Forest savour safety

Elliot Anderson's late goal against his former club Newcastle last weekend earned Nottingham Forest a draw which ultimately proved enough to guarantee survival.

West Ham's defeat by Arsenal a few hours later confirmed they were mathematically assured of their top-flight status with two games remaining.

Vitor Pereira, Forest's fourth head coach of the season, joked on Thursday that he is now able to "sleep properly" but also said the club needs to understand "the things we cannot do again" to reach "the next level".

Pereira has effectively rallied his side during the final two months of the season, with Forest finding consistency when they needed it most to pull clear of the relegation battle.

They are unbeaten in eight league games, the third longest current undefeated run in the top flight – form bettered by only Bournemouth and Manchester City.

The last time Forest enjoyed a longer undefeated streak in a single Premier League campaign was 31 years ago.

Michael Carrick staying on at Manchester United has been a possible outcome since 25 January, 12 days after Michael Carrick was appointed as Ruben Amorim's replacement ahead of former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Carrick had already beaten Manchester City – but Amorim, Solskjaer and others had done that. Despite their reduced status, raising their game against their rivals from across town had not been an issue.

When United beat Arsenal at the Emirates thanks to Matheus Cunha's late goal, it was different, the first hint at Carrick bringing something more substantial to Old Trafford.

For the next three months, the 44-year-old batted away various questions about his future; whether he wanted the job, if he had spoken to the hierarchy about the job, if he was involved in recruitment meetings, whether it was important for potential signings to know who the manager was going to be next season.

At the same time, various candidates for the job were ruled out. Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension with the Football Association. Carlo Ancelotti moved towards doing the same with Brazil, which is now done. PSG let it be known they were well down the road of agreeing a new deal with Luis Enrique.

Another option, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner became embroiled in a dispute with the ownership of the London club that seemed to be heading towards an exit. Palace had already been beaten by non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup.

All the while, Carrick kept winning matches. Four in a row to start with, six out of seven until a first defeat – at Newcastle – which the club's hierarchy blamed on the players rather than the man in the dugout.

The home defeat by Leeds on 13 April was on the manager, who made a mistake in starting Manuel Ugarte when Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out through injury.

United's response; three successive wins against rivals for a Champions League spot; Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool, answered key questions about Carrick's suitability for the job.

By now, key figures in the dressing room – it started with Amad Diallo during the April training camp in Dublin and was followed by Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, Senne Lammens and Casemiro – were calling for Carrick to stay.

The evidence was overwhelming.

Ditching Carrick had become a bigger risk than keeping him and shortly United will confirm he has the job.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the news that Manchester United have reached an agreement with Michael Carrick to become the club's permanent head coach.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Finally, the club has shown common sense. Carrick is the right person for the job, he knows what it takes to be a United player. Also how the game should be played and how to get the best out of his players. Carrick has stood up to be counted and now it is time for the players to do the same. All the best for what can be a great future for Manchester United.

Anirban: Glad good sense prevailed and performance was rewarded, despite the naysayers. Now back him in the transfer market!

Bo: A mistake but United are damned if they do and damned if they don't! Appoint Carrick and it fails and it's Solskjaer again but don't appoint Carrick and whoever replaces him fails then it'll be "should have appointed Carrick".

Jean: Fantastic and very well deserved. Great stuff.

Mike: Looks a sensible appointment and a sensible contract term. Always had a lot of time for him as a player and he'll go about this job quietly and hopefully successfully.

Hugh: I am pleased for Carrick. He has steadied the ship. Two years is a sensible contract. We now need some sensible investment in players over the summer.

Nigel: I think it was inevitable that Carrick would get the job and he deserves it. Now the hierarchy have to back him with serious money and astute signings to enable him to oversee what will be a much more difficult campaign next season. There needs to be a lot of comings and goings during the transfer window this summer.

Manchester United fans outside Old Trafford say that Michael Carrick being the club's next permanent head coach is the "best decision" and that he has "earned" the job full time.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Michael Carrick to become the club's permanent head coach.

The formal process of exchanging contracts is now under way, with an announcement expected inside the next 48 hours.

As things stand there is some doubt over whether the formalities can be completed before Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, but there is a will to have it done in time for the club's final home game of the season.

Carrick will sign an initial two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.

What do you think? Get in touch with your views here

This is a proper dead rubber, with Nottingham Forest safe now, and Manchester United guaranteed a Champions League spot.

That makes it harder to call but United boss Michael Carrick will still be desperate for a strong end of the season and retain the feel-good factor at Old Trafford.

Nottingham Forest won't want to let their season just peter out, either, but the pressure is off them now and, because of that, I am backing United here - this game is more important to them than it is to Forest.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Under-21 coach Adam Lawrence has joked that danger man Shea Lacey has finally grasped the concept of tracking back at the age of 19.

Lacey has emerged this season as one of the most promising players in United's academy.

The England Under-20 international was a key figure in the 4-3 victory over Manchester City in last week's Premier League 2 play-off semi-final and is one of United's most dangerous attacking options going into Saturday night's final against Brighton at Amex Stadium.

But Lawrence was just as pleased with the work Lacey did defending his own goal at City as with the goal and assist he contributed to the victory.

"When you isolate some of his one-v-one play - his dribbling, dropping the shoulder, twisting and turning - it's really exciting," said Lawrence.

"He's got magic in his feet and is what a Manchester United player should look like.

"I've never seen him run backwards so much [as he did against City]. That was a positive.

"I said to him afterwards it's good that finally, at 19 years of age, he's understood what tracking back actually is."

United are aiming to win PL2 in its new guise for the first time. They last won the old title, based solely on league performance, in 2015-16.

They finished second in the table behind Chelsea on goal difference, while Brighton ended the season in 12th spot.

Lawrence feels goalkeeper Will Murdock could be a key figure in the game.

"Will is quite a calming presence in terms of the way he can take crosses and being reliable when the ball's going into him," he said.

"When you're an outfield player and feel confident with the goalkeeper behind, that obviously really helps the team in terms of giving them a platform."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick has stuck rigidly to the same mantra all the way through his short stint in charge of Manchester United, so there was little chance of him changing his ways in his latest media engagement and outlining whether he will stay at the club.

However, we are getting to the point of no return in the sense there are only two games of the season remaining and only two days before United's final home match of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.

Confirmation Carrick will address supporters on the pitch after the game appears significant.

Clearly, he wants to thank the fans for their support, but it would be odd if there was no clarity on his position before he picks up the microphone.

United fans will be saying farewell to veteran midfielder Casemiro, who will be available. I am not expecting it to be a double goodbye.

The latest news and views on the Red Devils in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United's interim boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Carrick said his future "is going to be decided pretty soon". He added: "There are two games to go, there's not much else I can say. The situation is pretty clear for us all. Same as. It doesn't change what we are doing this week."

• Carrick explained: "We knew that it was going to be towards the end of the season. Nothing has changed, there is no big swing on that. That is what it is. Whatever is beyond that is pretty close around the corner anyway."

• Brazilian midfielder Casemiro will be available on Sunday, in his last home game as a United player.

• On the midfielder Carrick said: "He's been fantastic for us, for me personally, what he's given us. He is fully invested and fully supported us as staff in the performances he's given. He's had some ups and downs over the years. To finish so strongly and see that connection with the supporters is really good to see"

• Benjamin Sesko is not "100%" and will not be available for Sunday.

• On what it has meant to him being in charge, Carrick said: "I'm immensely proud. As a supporter and ex-player and caring about the club so much, to come back and help and move the club forward was important. To make a big step and get back in the Champions League is good. We're happy with the work we've done so far."

• Carrick has confirmed his intention to address the supporters following the game on Sunday. "I think that's important regardless of the situation [of his contract]. The supporters are a massive part of this club. We thank them - and I certainly thank them - for the season and the support, the last four months for me personally."

• On what he believes the team can achieve in the upcoming years: "You've always got to aim upwards. That's the beauty of football and competition, to achieve something and back it up, improve on things, that's always the challenge. For the players, for the squad, for the whole group, for the club, we want to keep moving in a positive way and in the right direction."

• He added: "The closer you get to the top the less room for progress, but progress is what needs to be aimed for."

• Finally, on assistant coach Steve Holland: "Steve has been fantastic. He's got an awful lot of experience, he's seen everything before. He's a very wise man, he says things that are important at the right time. Steve is in that role where he has the experience to lean on. There's absolutely no shame in that at all."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

There's something magical about those seconds before the FA Cup final kicks off. Trumpets and tin-foil trophies, players as tense as the travelling fans, gaffers pacing the dugout in full club suits. The anticipation of a new hero emerging.

Some goals, though, are written in FA Cup folklore, rolled out for every cup final montage - they're the belters, the moments of individual magic, the strikes that sealed shock wins.

I've chosen 10 that make an all-time list and here's a peek at one of them. You can access the full article below to see where I've ranked it.

Norman Whiteside - Man Utd v Everton 1985

The odds were stacked against Manchester United, down to 10 men heading into extra time against an Everton side who were chasing a treble and had already beaten them twice that season.

But in the 110th minute, Mark Hughes threaded a ball into Norman Whiteside's path with the outside of his boot.

The midfielder scrambled down the right, cut in towards the edge of the box on his left and, with a subtle little stepover, created enough room to wrap a curling effort around Toffees defender Pat van den Hauwe and beyond keeper Neville Southall into the far corner.

"Some people have had the audacity to ask if it was a cross!" he later told BBC Radio 5 Live.

See my 10 selections in full

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick faces the media this afternoon for the first time since it became known he was the preferred candidate of chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox to take over as head coach at Manchester United on a permanent basis.

Talks are thought to be happening around that situation, although it is not entirely clear when we are likely to get an announcement.

United always wanted to wait until the end of the season before making a decision, although there is a school of thought that an announcement ahead of the final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest would be better – certainly if he wasn't getting it, there would be a chance for fans to acknowledge the work he has done.

As things stand, he has been nominated for the Premier League's manager of the year prize after winning 10 out of his 15 games in charge of Manchester United.

I wouldn't expect Carrick to engage on the inevitable questions but it would be interesting to know if he intends to speak to the fans from the pitch after Sunday's game as is tradition.

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

Is Michael Carrick experienced enough to handle Manchester United on a full-time basis?

Carrick came in when the clear objective was Champions League football in a season in which quite a few of the competitors for Champions League football have dropped off.

I think Ruben Amorim made it really easy for Carrick to come in and look like he's doing a fantastic job - and I'm not taking anything away from Carrick if he gets the job.

He put the best player in the Premier League in Bruno Fernandes in his best position - that number 10 role - and he got the best out of the players he's got. That does deserve some sort of reward.

But can he do it after big money has been spent this summer on some serious signings and the pressure mounts on you? You've also got multiple games per week, you've got Champions League football, you've got cup competitions. Has he got the experience to do it at that top, top level?

I think Carrick has [but] my top option would have been Andoni Iraola.

What he's done with Bournemouth is nothing short of sensational. He has a fantastic style of play. He's clearly got great management skills, because his squad gets ripped from him every season and top players get ripped from him after he's built them up and got the best out of them.

The way he makes different sets of players run for him tirelessly, press for him tirelessly and go again and again, on a minuscule budget, amazes me. Iraola is an absolute coup for anyone who manages to go and get him.

Manchester United have decided to not go down that road. The risk with him is it is a mammoth jump from Bournemouth to Manchester United.

Carrick, as a player and as manager, has proved he can handle that pressure. There's not that many top, elite candidates available and I think Carrick has benefited from that - and I wish him all the best if he gets the United job.

You cannot say it's not deserved from the results he's got. Hopefully Michael Carrick will be our Zinedine Zidane.

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Darren Fletcher feels the pain of a double cup final defeat will spur his Manchester United on to better things next season.

United lost the FA Youth Cup final 2-1 at Manchester City after conceding an agonising late goal at the Joie Stadium.

It followed up a penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League Under-18 Cup final last month and what turned out to be a second-place finish behind City in the Premier League North table.

Fletcher accepted his side did not perform to their best on Thursday night, with too many of their high-profile players off form.

But he feels they will benefit from the experience and believes it has been a productive first season in charge.

"I am really proud of them," he said. "I have loved every minute.

"No sour grapes tonight. We didn't deserve to lose against Crystal Palace but we came up short against City.

"The players are gutted. But when you lose it doesn't half drive you forward next season. It changes your summer.

"There is no celebrating. You are thinking about rectifying the feeling of defeat."

Four of his starting line-up, including star forward JJ Gabriel, will be available to Fletcher next season, along with 16-year-old Kai Rooney, who missed the final through injury.

It will be interesting to see whether Michael Carrick's son Jacey also pushes his way into Fletcher's plans.

• Listen to Fletcher talk of frustrations with The FA

Manchester United are monitoring Sporting Lisbon and Denmark midfielder Morten Hjulmand, 26, who is also on Arsenal's radar. (Caught Offside), external

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