Carrick sheds light on 'cup of tea and chat' with Sir Jim at training ground

MICHAEL Carrick said his meeting with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week was a 'casual chat' over a cup of tea, as speculation hots up that he is on course to stay on as the club's head coach.

- By TYRONE MARSHALL

Ratcliffe was at Carrington at the start of last week and he caught up with Carrick during his visit, but there was no job offer for the 44-year-old, who has delivered eight wins and two draws in his 12 games in charge.

Carrick is in pole position to land the job on a permanent basis this summer, but played down the substance of his meeting with Ratcliffe, 73, who is a semi-regular visitor to the club's training ground.

"He came in. We had a chat. We had a cup of tea. Casual chat, to be honest, it was nice to see him showing his support, obviously," said Carrick.

"That was it. It was quite informal, but it was nice to see him. I think as a football club we're hugely connected all the way through.