Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to formally recommend Carrick to minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week, according to The Athletic. Providing Ratcliffe agrees — and he holds ultimate authority on football matters at Old Trafford — United will open formal talks with the 44-year-old former midfielder.
Carrick stepped in as caretaker on 13 January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, whose 14-month tenure ended amid poor results and a breakdown in relations with club officials over his tactical methods.
Since taking charge, Carrick has won 10 of 15 matches and guided United from seventh to third in the Premier League, securing a return to the Champions League next season. No other top-flight side has collected more points than United's 33 in that period.
His early run included victories over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal in his first four games. Momentum briefly stalled with a seven-game unbeaten streak broken in March, but wins over Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool proved decisive in the Champions League race.
United now sit six points ahead of Liverpool with two matches remaining.
Carrick has played down the noise surrounding his future throughout.
"Whether it's discussed or not discussed, it hasn't bothered me. It hasn't changed how I go about it. I've been confident in the work that we're doing."
Wayne Rooney has warned that any further delay risks complicating United's summer recruitment, with top transfer targets expected to seek assurances about who will be in the dugout.
If Ratcliffe backs the appointment, Carrick could be confirmed as permanent manager as early as Sunday's final home game against Nottingham Forest.