What happened: Fabrizio Romano reports Manchester United and Michael Carrick are set to continue together next season and beyond, with chances of him staying increasing for weeks. Per Romano, players and management are aligned, and the next step is final-stage talks over a new deal. The update follows earlier reporting that Carrick met with Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Carrington and was seeking clarity on his future after the club's Champions League run.

Why it matters: Locking in Carrick would end weeks of speculation about the United bench and give the club a stable platform heading into a summer overhaul already linked to Casemiro's MLS move and Ugarte's exit. Continuity at head coach also matters for recruitment, since incoming and outgoing players want to know who is picking the team. For supporters, it signals that ownership is backing the in-house project rather than chasing another reset.

What to watch: Watch for the formal club announcement and contract length/terms, plus how Carrick's confirmation shapes United's summer transfer plans. Any movement on Casemiro or Ugarte exits will be the first downstream signal.