- Manchester United managerial target set to sign new deal
- Luis Enrique heavily linked with Old Trafford job
- Michael Carrick in pole position
Michael Carrick has edged closer to landing the Manchester United job on a permanent basis as Luis Enrique is set to commit his future to Paris Saint-Germain.
United had long earmarked Enrique as a top target, but with the Spaniard now set to stay in France, Carrick looks set to pull further ahead in the race, with only a handful of options left on the board.
Manchester United still have other managerial options—Julian Nagelsmann among them—but with yet another of Carrick’s rivals out of the race, it is increasingly likely we will see the Englishman in the dugout of Old Trafford next Autumn.
Enrique Stays: Paris Strikes Back
After months of reportedly feeling “uncomfortable” in Paris, Enrique has done a full 180 and now appears ready to commit to life at PSG.
The Spaniard has long harboured ambitions to manage in the Premier League, and the opportunity appeared to be aligning when United dismissed Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim just days before Enrique reportedly turned down a contract extension at PSG.
Enrique dismissed rumours over him possibly departing the Parc des Princes in a press conference, saying, “Discussions are normal, but they remain confidential.”
As two months ticked by, fans grew increasingly anxious, frustrated by the lack of progress and the uncertainty surrounding his future.
But now, the i Paper has revealed that they are adamant that Enrique will sign a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027.
The signing of Spanish wonder-kid Dro Fernandez seems to have sweetened the deal. With a host of Europe’s top clubs circling the 18‑year‑old, Enrique had been desperate to land the midfielder before anyone else could.
PSG president Nasser Al‑Khelaifi, balancing travel between Paris and the Middle East amid the ongoing tensions in Iran, opened the club’s chequebook, splashing €8.2 million to secure the youngster.
With the youngster signed, Enrique now believes that PSG are fully behind his long-term plan for the club and that he has no reason to leave.
Next Stop, Old Trafford: United’s Summer Blueprint
Whilst the loss of Enrique is unquestionably a negative for United, it is not as bad as many fans may think.
With Carrick delivering an exceptional start to his interim reign, the club has made no approaches to external candidates, unwilling to disrupt the momentum he has already built.
No decision will be made until the end of this season, by which time Enrioque will have likely signed an extension. It seems that as the passage of time marches on, United will be looking internally for their next full-time head coach, not externally.
