Third place secured - what challenges are ahead for Carrick?

Clarity "in the next few days", smiled Michael Carrick to the assembled media when he was asked, again, in his post-match press conference after Manchester United's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest if there was any update on his future.

"It has been pretty clear."

Sir Jim Ratcliffe was at Old Trafford for United's 11th victory in 16 games under their 'temporary' boss. So too was Carrick's trusted advisor, in the posh seats, where Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox sit.

All are aligned on the future. It is only confirmation we are waiting for now.

Carrick's appointment on a two-year deal, with a one-year extension, is expected from United shortly.

After taking Manchester United back into the Champions League following a two-season absence and securing only a fifth top-three finish since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Carrick is deserving of a shot at the job full-time.

However, the hard work might only just be beginning.

Third in a 40-game season, with no Europe and exits at the first hurdle from both domestic cups – before Carrick arrived – is an achievement. However, in the storied history of the club, which the 44-year-old was a central part of for 12 years, it is at the bottom end of the ambition scale.

Asked for his view on what improvements United needed to make to get to the level required, Carrick offered this appraisal.

"There's a couple of sides to it," he said.

"There is understanding the position we want to get to from where we've been and understanding what steps that takes.

"You want to keep improving but the closer you get to the top of the league, the harder it gets. You've got to make big steps, but it's harder to make those big steps.

"Certainly, evolving the group is one thing. That's not a negative on the group as it is now, we've got a good group of players we want to try to improve and get better.

"Is that additions, or additions and some of the younger players, who will be better for it again with an extra season of experience?

"There is no magic ingredient. It's hard work, a bit of brains, a bit of intelligence and good players as well."

So, what is in Carrick's 'in tray'?