Manchester United set to appoint Michael Carrick as permanent head coach

Michael Carrick has agreed an initial two-year deal to take permanent charge of Manchester United following a hugely successful interim spell in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

The former Middlesbrough boss replaced Ruben Amorim earlier this year after the United board opted to end the Portuguese's turbulent tenure in charge in February.

Since then, the European giants have undertaken a significant resurgence under the guidance of Carrick, winning ten of his 15 matches in charge and losing just two.

BBC's senior football correspondant Sami Mokbal is now reporting that the 44-year-old is set to be rewarded for his work by being handed the reins on a permanent basis.

"Manchester United have reached an agreement with Michael Carrick to become the club's permanent head coach," Mokbel said on Saturday.

The formal process of exchanging contracts is now under way, with an announcement expected inside the next 48 hours.

- Sami Mokbel (BBC Senior Football Correspondent)

"As things stand there is some doubt over whether the formalities can be completed before Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, but there is a will to have it done in time for the club's final home game of the season.

"Carrick will sign an initial two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months."

Manchester United have already secured themselves UEFA Champions League qualification for next season and will cement third spot with a point or more in their penultimate top-flight fixture of the campaign against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

United's executive leadership team - one which includes chief executive officer Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox - are believed to have played a key role in Carrick's return to the club just over three months ago, and have been sufficiently impressed with the work he has carried out.

Carrick, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, hinted that an agreement was imminent, saying: "The future for me is going to be decided pretty soon.

"We knew that was going to be towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing's changed. There's no big swing on that.

"That is what it is, you know. Obviously, whatever's beyond that is pretty close around the corner anyway."