Michael Carrick may reject Man Utd job – ‘look at other clubs’ | Football | Sport

Manchester United risk Michael Carrick entering talks with competing clubs if they continue to delay in offering him a permanent position at Old Trafford, according to former defender Jaap Stam. Carrick has just two more United fixtures left on his contract after steering the side back into the Champions League, having replaced Ruben Amorim earlier this year.

The ex-Middlesbrough boss has received widespread acclaim for his efforts, with the club set to clinch third spot in the Premier League, 12 months after finishing 15th. The 44-year-old was appointed until the end of the season, yet his future remains uncertain, and no United manager has been confirmed for the summer.

For his part, Carrick has insisted he is comfortable with the ambiguity surrounding his situation.

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Stam believes the moment is approaching when Carrick will wish to outline his summer plans, whether that includes United or another club. The Dutch legend feels the former midfielder has accomplished more than sufficient to merit a contract at the Theatre of Dreams.

“He’s had a great spell now, he’s done very well, so I think you need to do that [give him the contract],” Stam told ComeOn. “I cannot imagine there are no talks going on now or starting because if he wants to go on as a manager, he needs to have a look at other clubs now himself if he wants to change that somewhere else, if he wants to bring in players somewhere else.

“So this is the time to make decisions, and after this success by getting into the Champions League, I can’t imagine not talking to him now and saying, ‘OK, we want to go and give you a contract for maybe for the next season or the next two seasons and see how it goes.’

“And there is always talk with fans, or people are always saying when they’re not successful, ‘OK, then it’s the lack of experience or he’s too young or we should have brought in this manager.’

“But he knows the club very well. And I think it’s very positive that he knows what happened before, maybe the new owners came in, and how the club needs to be run and what needs to be done and what the feeling is as a United manager or as a United player.”

“He can bring that feeling to the players, and I think that’s already what he’s been doing. And together with great people on the board, people who are very committed and want to make changes, I think you can help a young manager like him in making that next step or to become very successful for the club.”

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United are amongst a number of clubs reportedly keen on landing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. The Spanish manager has already confirmed he will be leaving the Cherries at the end of the season.

For the time being, he is refusing to be drawn into speculation regarding his next move. “I’m in no rush,” Iraola said. “I will not talk about my future. I’m fully focused on trying to finish this season with a reward, something tangible for the [Bournemouth] players and supporters.” He added: “It was not an easy decision [to leave] but once it is made you feel relief.

“I feel we have used it in a positive way. Since that day, we’ve had great results but also the mood.

“Everyone is clear, the relationship is so clean and honest. Okay, this is going to happen, next season Marco Rose will be our manager. Everyone knows what’s happening. We are in good place and can use this in a positive way.”