Manchester United players are keen for Michael Carrick to be handed the head coach role on a permanent basis, after the 44-year-old has guided them to seven victories and two draws in his opening 10 matches at the helm. United maintain they are undertaking a "thorough process" to appoint a permanent head coach, with Carrick having only signed a deal until the end of the season upon his return to the club in January.

However, he has brought about marked improvements in both performances and results, with United sitting third with seven matches remaining and well-placed to secure a return to the Champions League next season. This has placed Carrick as the frontrunner for the position, with the players having made their wishes abundantly clear, as Amad Diallo insisted they are eager for the club's former midfielder to remain. He said: "It's not for us as a player to decide for his future but he's been very great, he's been doing so much for the team, he has a lot of experience and he knows the club, he has the DNA so...