BIG GAME HUNTER

Liverpool next in Carrick sights as he aims to complete top scalp set

- BY TYRONE MARSHALL

THE closer we get to the end of the season, the more it feels like every Manchester United game is becoming a referendum on Michael Carrick’s future.

The 44-year-old’s stock fell last week after the 2-1 home defeat to bitter rivals Leeds.

But after Saturday night's hardfought 1-0 win at Chelsea, he is the flavour of the month once again.

Carrick remains odds-on favourite to be United’s head coach next term.

But Bournemouth’s strong finish to the season under the departing Andoni Iraola has boosted his claims, as has the possibility of Oliver Glasner adding another trophy to his impressive CV with Crystal Palace in the final four of the Europa Conference League.

Another defeat at Stamford Bridge would have added to the noise that Carrick was not the man long-term, but the way United toughed it out to win a difficult away game spoke volumes.