Manchester United favourite Michael Carrick in talks to become Middlesbrough manager

Manchester United favourite Michael Carrick has held talks with Middlesbrough over their managerial vacancy. Carrick, 41, spent 12 memorable years at Old Trafford as a player before serving as assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after hanging up his boots.

He also stepped in for three games as caretaker when Solskjaer was sacked by the club last December, while Ralf Rangnick was then appointed as interim manager. At that stage, Carrick ended his association with United and has since been linked with several coaching positions. But could his first permanent assignment come with the Championship strugglers?

Middlesbrough parted ways with former manager Chris Wilder and, according to some reports, Carrick has quickly moved into pole position to succeed him. However, as per our sister publication TeessideLive, the former midfielder is currently among more than a dozen possible candidates.

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Club sources told TeessideLive that Middlesbrough are still in the process of whittling down their shortlist.

Carrick is understood to be part of that discussion, meanwhile, but caretaker manager Leo Percovich will continue in the dugout this Saturday afternoon when Blackburn Rovers head to the Riverside Stadium. He has overseen two matches so far - including a priceless victory over Birmingham City at the same venue.

As per the same article, the Championship strugglers are taking their time to settle on a replacement for Wilder as they look closer at who candidates might bring in as backroom staff. Reports suggest Carrick would be keen to add United figures Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen as his two main coaches.

Rob Edwards, Scott Parker, Carlos Corberan and Sean Dyche have all been linked in