Evaluations on Carrick have already been made, so the final games of the season will not influence whether the club’s hierarchy believe he is up to the task long-term.
However, he is the favourite to land the role, and sources say he feels he deserves the chance to build on the platform he has established this year.
Carrick has helped United turn around their fortunes this season, returning them to the top tier of European football, which was the aim at the start of the campaign.
Insiders believe that the familiarity and the rapport that Carrick has built should help his bid to land the job beyond this initial stint, despite Andoni Iraola emerging as a contender for the job.
This season marks a significant step in United’s rebuild under the current ownership, and the club will now invest in the summer to ensure they build on this progress.
A midfield signing will be key, and United intend to show strong ambition in the market.
Elliot Anderson will be a difficult deal due to Manchester City’s real interest in the Nottingham Forest player, but, as reported by Flashscore recently, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba remains a top target and new contact is expected soon.
The likelihood of signing Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace has reduced, but Joao Gomes of Wolves and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes are also players of interest to United.
United would like two central midfielders to arrive and the likes of Ederson from Atalanta, Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid and Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP are also still on their radar in case of good market opportunities that may open up.
United also want to sign a central defender and have had an eye on both Murillo at Nottingham Forest and Micky van de Ven of Tottenham. They may also sign a full-back - Arsenal's Miles Lewis-Skelly is one to watch out for - and ideally the Reds would love to add an exciting wide player.
Once the situations surrounding Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been resolved, that position will come into focus, so it is likely to be one they address in July and August.
At this stage it is anticipated that further explorations will be made around both Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande.
United's spending will be substantial but, for now, the priority is the managerial situation and making a final decision on Carrick as the long-term leader.
After that, United can make an early start on the summer recruitment.
