Michael Carrick is close to agreeing a deal to return to Manchester United as caretaker head coach for the rest of the season.

Talks have progressed and the former United and England midfielder, 44, is set to be in charge for Saturday’s derby against Manchester City (12:30 GMT).

Club chiefs are hoping to have an appointment in place for when players return to training on Wednesday.

Carrick previously had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021.

He won two and drew one of those matches but left after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival as interim manager.

Carrick is known to have significant backing from within the United squad and the Ineos hierarchy that run football affairs at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer held face-to-face discussions with the club on Saturday about a return.

United sacked Ruben Amorim as manager after 14 months in the job on 5 January.

Darren Fletcher, a former United and Scotland midfielder, was initially handed temporary responsibility for first-team affairs following Amorim’s departure.

United suffered an FA Cup third-round defeat at the hands of Brighton on Sunday in what looks set to be Fletcher’s second and final game in charge. He led the side to a draw at struggling Burnley in the Premier League last Wednesday.