Michael Carrick eyes strong season finish with Man Utd, awaits clarity over future

United sealed qualification for next season's Champions League with a dramatic 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday, a result that lifted the club into third place in the Premier League with three matches still to play.

The achievement has intensified discussions over the direction the club will take this off-season, both in the transfer market and in the dugout.

Carrick, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, emerged as United's choice to steady the ship after Ruben Amorim's bitter departure in January.

The former United midfielder, captain and coach has overseen a significant turnaround in fortunes since taking charge, quickly establishing himself as the leading candidate to remain in the role permanently.

While reports continue to link Carrick with the position beyond this season, the 44-year-old says he is not distracted by uncertainty over his future.

"Clarity is important," he said.

"I think moving forward, it's come at the time, right at the end of the season, where I think we've finished strong, put ourselves in a good position.

"And obviously the situation of my role and what it looks like moving forward, I think it's just the natural time. It was always spoke about towards the end of the season, if not the end of the season, so nothing has really changed, to be honest.

"I understand the question, I understand the timing of it, but from my point of view right at this stage it's just putting the boys in a place to finish the season strongly.

"Then, as I've said all along, and I'm calm about it, it'll get sorted out when it's going to get sorted out. Some of it's out of my hands, so we'll see what happens."

United will face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.