17/05/2026

theSun on Sunday MAY 17, 2026

SPORTS 14 MICHAEL CARRICK insists his situation at Manchester United remains unchanged as talks continue over becoming the permanent manager after inspiring a surge in both form and morale at Old Trafford. Carrick has stabilised the club since replac ing Ruben Amorim, guiding the club back to the Champions League next season, while also taking the club to the brink of a third-place finish in the Premier League with two games remaining. United have made Carrick their first-choice contender for the permanent manager’s role,

final two matches to be certain of a third place finish. Carrick has been named on a six man shortlist for the top flight’s manager of the season award. Carrick, who confirmed 34-year-old Brazil midfielder Casemiro will be available for his Old Trafford farewell, said he intends to fol low the tradition started by his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and address supporters after the Forest game. “That’s important anyway,” he said. “The supporters are a massive part of this club. We thank them for the season; the last four months for me personally. “Regardless of that, for what we’ve gone through and that connection, which the play ers have felt, it’s important for me to thank the fans for that.” – The Independent/Agencies

Man Utd interim manager Michael Carrick. – REUTERSPIC

6131/2026

16/05/2026 (SAT)

Decision soon Carrick underlines Man United reality over permanent manager talks

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with only two games left. “I think it was normal that we did it, to try to find some answers to some ques tions that creates a lot of doubts. “What is needed, and we’re going to speak about referees and VAR, is consis tency. It would help the game, it would help the Premier League, it would help first and foremost the players. “They have to realise, they have to understand that there are no doubts, no frustrations.” West Ham travel to Newcastle tomor row (12.30am) knowing a victory would lift them out of the relegation zone, before Tottenham face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday (3.15am). The prospect of dropping into the Championship for the first time since 2011-12 is a painful one for West Ham, who hired Nuno after sacking Graham Potter in September. Nuno, who was axed himself by Nottingham Forest earlier this season, has no time to fret any further about VAR as he steels himself for the final chapter of West Ham’s survival fight. – AFP an announcement could come before the final game of the season against Brighton next Sunday. “The future for me is going to be decided pretty soon,” Carrick added. “We knew that it was going to be towards the end of the season. Nothing has changed, there is no big swing on that. Whatever is beyond that is pretty close anyway.” The fact talks are continuing – after chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox recom mended Carrick’s appointment to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – is a strong indicator his installation as Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor is just a matter of time. Most players have backed Carrick for the job, with the majority of fans also believing the former England mid fielder has earned the right to be given the role after winning 10 of his 15 League games in charge to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. United need one point from their

WEST HAM boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants VAR decisions to show more con sistency after his relegation-haunted side were denied a crucial equaliser against Arsenal. Nuno’s team thought they had res cued a valuable 1-1 draw with the Premier League leaders last weekend when Callum Wilson netted in stoppage time. But Wilson’s goal was disallowed after Pablo was penalised for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Adding to Nuno’s frustration after the 1-0 loss, separate unpunished potential fouls occurred during the same phase of play, which could have earned his men a penalty – prompting West Ham to com plain to referees’ body the PGMOL. And yesterday, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel also said the Hammers should have been awarded two penalties during their 3-0 defeat at Brentford a week earlier. “We made a complaint,“ admitted Nuno, whose third-bottom side are two points behind fourth-bottom Tottenham but ahead of facing Nottingham Forest today (7.30pm Malaysian time), the 44 year-old insists focus is on finishing the campaign and not the 2026/27 cam paign and beyond. “I can’t blame you for asking (about my future),” Carrick admitted during his pre-match press conferences. “There’s two games to go, apart from that there’s not much else to say, proba bly what you expect. The situation is pretty clear for us all. Same as in terms of preparing for the game. “It’s a unique football club, a special club. I’m immensely proud to have come back and been a part of it, to help as a supporter and ex-player, as a pure supporter caring about the club so much to be in a position to come back and help and move forward was impor tant. “To make a big step, and back in the Champions League is good, we’re happy with the work we’ve done so far.” Carrick then concluded that a deci sion would be made publish soon, and

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