Manchester United manager search: Andoni Iraola emerges as top candidate ahead of Michael Carrick

Manchester United’s managerial situation is no longer as uncertain as it once was — but it isn’t fully settled either.

Michael Carrick has done just about everything he could have hoped for since stepping in on an interim basis in January.

Results have followed quickly, performances have stabilised, and Champions League qualification is now within touching distance.

For a club that looked adrift not long ago, that turnaround has shifted the mood entirely.

Nine wins from 13 games tells its own story. Only two defeats in that stretch makes it harder for decision-makers at Old Trafford to ignore what’s right in front of them.

And yet, the door isn’t completely closed on outside options.

Behind the scenes, Manchester United are still weighing up whether to stick with Carrick or make a more deliberate long-term appointment.

There’s a sense of caution this time — a memory of 2019 lingering in the background, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed the job permanently after a strong interim run, only for things to unravel later.

That context matters. It explains why, even now, United are doing their homework.

One name that continues to come up is Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard, who is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, is understood to be highly regarded within United’s hierarchy. There’s genuine admiration for his coaching methods and, more specifically, his attacking approach. It aligns with the kind of football the club say they want to play moving forward.

He’s also available — which always changes the dynamic in situations like this.

Internally, Iraola is viewed as the strongest alternative if United decide not to formalise Carrick’s role. That doesn’t mean a decision has been made, but it does show how seriously he’s being considered.

There are, however, complications.

Iraola is attracting interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. Crystal Palace are monitoring him as they look ahead to potential changes, while Chelsea have already made initial contact to understand whether he would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

That could become a factor. There’s also a suggestion that Iraola is keen on staying in England, but lifestyle preferences may come into play — with London reportedly appealing to him.

From United’s perspective, that adds another layer of uncertainty.

Carrick, meanwhile, keeps strengthening his case simply by doing the job. His relationship with the squad appears strong, results are consistent, and there’s a calmness about the team that wasn’t there earlier in the season.

Whether that’s enough to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group remains to be seen, but it has certainly made the decision more complicated than expected.

Former United defender Paul Parker believes Iraola would be the obvious alternative if the club look beyond their current interim boss.

“If I were to pick another manager other than Carrick, my pick would be Andoni Iraola,” Parker said.

He went on to explain why the Spaniard stands out:

“He is the one I like the most. He knows the Premier League and he knows how to structure a team. He has improved Bournemouth and their players. I would go for him if they don’t choose Carrick.”

That endorsement reflects a wider feeling around Iraola — a coach who has quietly built a strong reputation without the noise that often surrounds bigger names.

For now, United are in a position of strength. They can wait, assess, and choose rather than rush into a decision. Carrick’s form has bought them that time.

But the longer this runs, the more it starts to feel like a genuine fork in the road.