Carrick’s first words with Man Utd set to appoint Rangnick as interim boss

Manchester United are closing in on the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim boss, with Michael Carrick set to remain in the dugout for this weekend’s trip to Chelsea

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Who is Ralf Rangnick? Man Utd’s interim boss in profile

Michael Carrick has said his full focus is on this weekend’s Chelsea clash, despite the imminent arrival of Ralf Rangnick.

Manchester United made it clear following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that they would like to hire an interim boss for the rest of the season.

However, suggestions that Mauricio Pochettino could sensationally quit Paris Saint-Germain mid-season threw a spanner into the works.

But the Red Devils stuck to their word and are set to appoint Rangnick on a six-month deal, with confirmation expected imminently.

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The 63-year-old, often described as ‘the Godfather’ of German football, Rangnick can count Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann as coaches that have been greatly influenced by him.

According to the latest reports, a deal has been agreed with Rangnick himself with final talks now ongoing with his current club Lokomotiv Moscow.

Those discussions, along with work permit issues mean that Carrick will remain in the dugout for the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

United head to the league leaders in the midst of a miserable run of Premier League form, having picked up just one win from their last seven domestic matches.

Carrick did pick up a victory in his first game in temporary charge, as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho earned them a 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League.

Chelsea looks set to be the final time he leads the team out, before the 40-year-old assumes a position in Rangnick’s coaching staff.

But asked about the prospect of linking up with the new boss, Carrick insisted his full focus remains on the daunting task of trying to overcome Chelsea.

“My future is this next two or three days. That’s as far as I am prepared to look,” he told Sky Sports.

“That’s the right way to go about it. Football is that kind of business that you never know what is round the corner at the best of times.

“All my energy and my mind at the moment is on Sunday.”

Carrick continued: “Ever since I came to this club playing against Chelsea we were big, big rivals.

“I’ve got a history with Chelsea and I enjoy that, we will be looking forward to the game.

“I control what I can control. Everything else is not for me to worry about and get involved with because I need to win a game of football and that is what I am looking forward to doing.

“We need to be stable and together which we showed [against Villarreal].

“We have got a game behind us now so it’s very different talking now than it was Sunday afternoon when everything was quite fresh.

‘Hopefully I have already given them what we need and made them aware of what we expect. I expect the players to give their best and try their best.”