Manchester United manager search develops as 'top target' decides future | OneFootball

Red Devils’ options for permanent coach seem to be dwindling

Michael Carrick has emerged as a clear frontrunner to become Manchester United’s next permanent manager with one of the club’s top targets set to pull out of the running.

Carrick signed on until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties in January. The club were expected to take their time over appointing a permanent contender to take over in the summer, with a number of candidates set to be considered.

And his bid to keep the job on a permanent basis next season has been strengthened further after one of his main rivals for the job pulled out.

Per a report in The i Paper, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique was top of United’s shortlist, but the Spaniard is set to snub their interest.

He is expected instead to extend his stay with PSG, the current French and European champions, where his contract does not expire until 2027.

Luis Enrique’s PSG are a dominant force in Europe and trounced Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea earlier this month

AFP via Getty Images

Under Enrique’s guidance, PSG look set to successfully defend their Ligue 1 title and remain in the running to do the same in the Champions League.

United are not expected to make a decision over their new manager until the end of this campaign, by which time Enrique’s future will likely be concrete.

With other top targets in Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel also off the table, Carrick seems well-placed to keep his place, though the club has also been linked with Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, presently of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, respectively.

The i’s report adds that Enrique has aspirations to manage in the Premier League, but is in no rush to leave PSG.

He also feels that he would not take long to adjust to English football, given his experience facing Premier League sides in European competition. His PSG side trounced Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 earlier this month, winning 8-2 over the two legs.