Manchester United are set to open talks with Michael Carrick about taking the reins on a permanent basis, and the club's faithful have plenty of reasons to be excited. The 44-year-old has exceeded all expectations since stepping in as interim manager in January, following Ruben Amorim's tumultuous exit from Old Trafford.

Carrick's impact has been nothing short of transformative. Under his guidance, United have rediscovered their swagger, clinching Champions League qualification with three games to spare and now eyeing a third-place finish in the Premier League. It's a remarkable turnaround for a squad that looked disjointed and low on confidence just months ago.

The club's former midfielder, captain, and coach has long been the front-runner for the role, and his stock has only risen. Several players have publicly backed him, and the results speak for themselves. According to reports, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are set to recommend Carrick for the job at an upcoming executive meeting. Some bookmakers have even suspended betting on his appointment—a clear sign that the decision may already be all but sealed.

Carrick will face the media on Friday ahead of Sunday's final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest. That match will also serve as a farewell for Casemiro, the popular 34-year-old midfielder who confirmed in January that he would leave when his contract expires this summer. The Brazilian has been a standout under Carrick, netting five goals and missing just one game—last weekend's 0-0 draw at Sunderland—since the interim boss took over.

Casemiro was back in training on Wednesday, alongside Manuel Ugarte, who also sat out the Sunderland trip due to a back issue. With the season winding down, all eyes are on Carrick and whether he'll be the man to lead United into a new era.