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Manchester United have earned 19 points from a possible 24 under Michael Carrick Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Michael Carrick is doing an "excellent job" as interim head coach but refused to be drawn on whether he would be appointed permanently. Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, came in after the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January and has overseen a significant upturn in form. His team have won six of eight matches, with United accruing more points in that period than any other side in the Premier League, including leaders Arsenal. Speaking publicly for the first time about Carrick since his appointment, Ratcliffe told Sky Sports News: "He is doing an excellent job, yes, absolutely. " 'Everyone at Man Utd loves him' - Owen backs Carrick for job Would it be bigger gamble not to give Carrick Man Utd job? Scholes 'did not intend to be offensive' to Carrick United's resurgence has naturally led to calls for Carrick to be considered for the job on a full-time basis. But Ratcliffe refused to be drawn on appointing Carrick in a long-term role, saying: "No, not going there. " United went into the weekend sitting third in the league with nine games left to play, on course for Champions League qualification for the first time since a third-place finish in the 2022-23 season. "Clearly we are thinking about that [Champions League qualification], but there are still seven or eight games to go, so still a while yet, " said Ratcliffe. Should Carrick manage to steer United into the Champions League, he will strengthen the case for him to stay in charge beyond this season. But Ratcliffe and United's board are acutely aware that they must get their next appointment right. Ratcliffe opted to given Erik ten Hag a new contract following United's FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in 2024 - only to sack him less than three months into the following season. Replacement Amorim was backed despite United finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. After a mixed start to this season, Ratcliffe said in October that he hoped to give the Portuguese coach three years to prove he is the right man at Old Trafford. However, Amorim was sacked in January, after only 14 months in charge. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Six Nations: O'Brien adds late try for ruthless Ireland against Scotland Premier League: Burnley hit bar against Bournemouth, Sunderland host Brighton Mercedes dominate but first signs of vulnerability Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films They were told it wasn't for girls, but these could be the future faces of F1 Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football Would Arsenal be ugliest title winners in history? What stats say Jason Tindall - the most misunderstood man in football? Why London Spirit spent £390, 000 on uncapped Sussex all-rounder Coles From best in league to bench - Foden's mysterious loss of form Meet Paralympics GB's 26th team member Winter Paralympics daily guide: Six golds to be decided on Saturday The Brits travelling in their thousands to 'Costa del Cheltenham' Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.