When Manchester United turned to Michael Carrick as an interim manager back in January, few could have predicted the remarkable turnaround that followed. The former midfielder, who had been out of work since his departure from Middlesbrough, stepped into the hot seat after Ruben Amorim's exit and has completely transformed the Red Devils' fortunes.

Carrick has masterfully guided United up to third place in the Premier League table, securing Champions League qualification in the process. His tenure has been defined by statement victories, including memorable wins against both Manchester City and Arsenal in his opening weeks. Sunday's thrilling 3-2 triumph over Liverpool further cemented his credentials, with the team losing just two of their 14 matches under his leadership.

Former United star Paul Parker believes Carrick has a genuine shot at landing the permanent role. "He's calm and that's the biggest thing for me," Parker shared exclusively with EPL Index. "I'm sure that if he was to get the permanent job then he would become a lot firmer with the players. But at the moment, he still has to play that game with the players. He can't go shouting and screaming at them, but he still needs to be able to have an opinion on them."

Parker added, "I believe he has a really, really good chance at getting the job, but he still needs to finish the season well." With three league games remaining against Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton, Carrick's United could finish on 73 points—a total the club has only reached three times since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013. That would represent a staggering improvement from last season's disappointing 42-point tally.

However, Carrick isn't the only name in the frame. The club is also considering other candidates, including Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola, making the final decision one of the most anticipated storylines of the summer.