Every word Michael Carrick said ahead of Brighton vs Manchester United fixture

United are set to announce Carrick's appointment as permanent head coach. The 44-year-old has promised there will be "clarity" soon, but he was asked about his future again.

The Reds travel to Brighton after an entertaining 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Carrick could give young players a chance at the Amex Stadium, although he has spoken of getting the "balance" right with his team selection.

Carrick also gave a team news update ahead of the trip to the south coast. Matthijs de Ligt's season is over after it was revealed he had undergone surgery on a back problem, while it's also understood that Benjamin Sesko will play no part on Sunday as he is given time to recover following a shin injury.

Recap what Carrick said during the press conference here.

New Updates21st May17:09 BSTUnited make Casemiro decision ahead of BrightonCasemiro's Manchester United career has come to an end after Michael Carrick confirmed the Brazilian won't be in the squad for the final game of the Premier League season this weekend.

The 34-year-old said an emotional farewell to Old Trafford on Sunday, earning a standing ovation as he was replaced during United's 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest and then making a heartfelt speech on the pitch after the game.

It felt like the afternoon had a sense of finality about it and Carrick has revealed it was decided last week that it would be Casemiro's final game for the club, excusing him from Sunday's trip to Brighton.

Read the full story here.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:03 BSTCasemiro again"It just felt the right time I think for Cassie and it was decided, he's part of that as well, so it was the right, it was a right time. There is an element of a balance, like I've just said about the last game, it's not, we're not done, you know, the season's not done for us, so we're really conscious of that. So there's a real balance between trying new things moving forward, keep evolving. There's always games that we've tried different things in that some might know with some people might not know with others. So I think the biggest thing is that we're really conscious to respect this last game and what it stands for and obviously try and make the best of it for us. You know, we want to go down there and put in a good performance and try and win the game."

CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:02 BSTCity and Arsenal"There's always improvement within the squad of course, certain things you want to tweak, certain things which we have done as we've progressed really, so just because it's the end of the season it doesn't change what we've said it from the start. We came in to try and put things in place and improve for the longer term, so it's not just because the season's coming to an end that that gets cleared up and whatever happens it goes in a certain direction. I think we've got to really... Good foundation of the squad and a good mixture of age in different stages of the career. I think we've proved that we're really dangerous and we can score goals, which is exciting and encouraging moving forward for sure."CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:02 BSTCarrick on Arsenal's title "First of all, I'd like to say huge congratulations to Arsenal and Mikel and the players and all the staff. I think when you win the league, you win because you deserve it. So much over such a long period of time needs to be done so well in order to win it. They've been really consistent over a number of years now and the patience and the improvement that they've had of taking steps, I think they're at a stage now where they deserve to win it so. As a football club, of course, that's where we want to be. We've been there in the past, and it doesn't mean necessarily you'll always be there again, but that's certainly, as a football, what we're striving for as soon as possible, really."

CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:02 BSTCarrick on United's future"As I've said before, I think just keep moving forward in so many ways, you know, it's never finished, it is never the finished article, it definitely is not in terms of where we want to be as a football club. I think we're moving in a good direction, I mean momentum, positivity and improvements is always, whether that's sometimes it's staff, sometimes it's playing squad, sometimes it is new ideas, just keep evolving as much as we possibly can as a club."CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:01 BSTCasemiro has played his last game"We always kind of decided that last week would be his last game, so I think that went well, as well as we all could have hoped to be honest, and he's been fantastic and I've said a lot of things about Kassi and how well he's done for me since I've been here and for the whole club, but yeah, it was decided that it was a good time for him to finish, really, so I again, just saying what the question I've just about this club. About bringing young players through and academy players and younger players, giving them opportunities is a real responsibility that we feel towards the game as well and getting the balance right at certain times going into games like this. But yes, of course, it's an opportunity to depend on how the game goes to try and make the most of that because I think it's, you know, we've got some really good young players that we want to try to take the next step to really and give them the opportunity. So hopefully that pans out in a positive way for us."CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:01 BSTBrighton"Well, we're certainly conscious of the situation of the game and what's at stake. I think we've certainly got a responsibility for that. We've managed to put ourselves in a position where we kind of are the position that we are in the league and I've said about we wanted to finish strong for ourselves as much as anything, so... We're approaching the game as we would any other game. There's a lot to play for Brighton, for Bournemouth, for all the other clubs surrounding that, so we're well aware of that."

CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:01 BSTAnything new with team news?"Not really."CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:00 BSTSpygate"I'm not close enough to it to understand all the details to be honest with you. So, the only thing I can say, I mean it's unfortunate for a lot of people and a lot of people were involved in all the football clubs that I've ended up being involved in, all Southampton and Middlesbrough, so the whole situation is a little bit unfortunate. All I can say is that I wish Middlesborough all the best, obviously I've had great times there. I've got a lot of friends there and I'd love to see, especially the players and seeing them do well. They gave everything for me when I was there, the ones that were there, so to see them have success and end up in the Premier League, I take a lot pride in that."CommentsSteven Railston21st May17:00 BSTCarrick on his future"Yeah, it was said the end of the season pretty much, so we're not far away, a couple of days away so yeah, I said to you the other day about clarity is pretty much around the corner and it is going to be now, but at this stage I can't really give you any more. "CommentsSteven Railston21st May16:51 BST10 minutes until updatesWe'll have updates from Carrick shortly - stay tuned.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May16:28 BSTToday's talking pointsWhat could Carrick be asked about today?

CommentsSteven Railston21st May16:14 BSTUpdates will come soonWe'll bring you every word from Carrick's press conference at 5pm.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May15:56 BSTMedia game at Old TraffordThe journalists *finally* won in the end-of-season match at Old Trafford.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May15:45 BSTWhat time will Carrick speak?We'll bring you updates from Carrick's press conference at the 5pm embargo time.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May14:30 BSTInside Fernandes' record-breaking seasonBruno Fernandes returned to Manchester United with a bee in his bonnet last summer. The captain was back for pre-season and threw himself into training, but some around the club felt you could see that what had happened a few weeks earlier was still in the back of his mind.

It was an inauspicious start to what has turned out to be Fernandes' greatest ever season. His masterpiece began with the nagging feeling that United actually wanted him to go to Saudi Arabia at the end of the 2024/25 season, and eventually, he went public with that view in a bombshell interview in Portugal in December. It is a view that has some sympathy around the club, whatever the public claims.

At that stage of the season, Fernandes was still being recast as a deep-lying midfielder under Ruben Amorim, and when the interview was carried out, he had five assists in the Premier League. It didn't look then like 2025/26 would end with the 31-year-old etching his name into Premier League folklore.

Read the full article here.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May14:30 BSTCarrick can raise £104million for summer window"I want to thank the staff, all the backroom staff who have supported us," said Carrick during his end-of-season speech. "The staff throughout the whole club. The effort and sacrifice everyone goes through is what makes this place so special.

"We have players leaving us, and out of contract. Case has been incredible and it's nice to see the response you gave to him. Tyrell [Malacia], who I mentioned to the boys before kick-off. He's had a tough time with injuries. Please could you show your appreciation to Tyrell."

Carrick struck the right notes during his speech, referencing players who are leaving. Ugarte was standing yards away, and it would have crossed his mind that he was possibly at Old Trafford for the last time.

Read more here.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May14:30 BSTFernandes makes exciting title predictionUnited captain Fernandes hopes Carrick is the one to end the club's decade-plus wait for a Premier League title.

Carrick, who is set to be confirmed as United's permanent head coach, has won 36 points in the Premier League since his interim appointment in January, more than any other manager in that time, which has convinced United chiefs that he is the right man to take the club forward.

United are set to reward Carrick with a two-year deal, with the option of a 12-month extension, and his backroom staff are expected to continue in their respective roles.

Read what Fernandes said here.

CommentsSteven Railston21st May14:30 BSTWelcomeHello and welcome to Michael Carrick's live press conference blog this afternoon.

Carrick will answer questions from the media ahead of United's final game of the Premier League season against Brighton this weekend, and will reveal the latest team news for the clash.

The 44-year-old is also bound to be asked questions about his future again. United are preparing to announce Carrick as head coach on a permanent basis, but the final details need to be completed.