Sir Jim Ratcliffe greatly admires Luis Enrique and is determined to appoint him as Manchester United's manager in the future! However, in the short term, they may only be able to promote Michael Carrick.

According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, within Manchester United, owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and some members of the INEOS management are strong supporters of Luis Enrique, dreaming of him coaching the club someday.

As he stated, the rumors linking United with Enrique over the past three months are not merely fabricated. However, given the current situation, Enrique will not become the manager of the Red Devils this year or in the near future. As previously reported, despite many rumors suggesting Enrique might leave this summer, Paris Saint-Germain remains optimistic that he will renew his contract.

There is no finalized timeline yet, but French media confirms that Enrique is indeed negotiating a contract extension with PSG until 2030, which would grant him a staggering annual salary. It is reported that the renewal talks have been ongoing for months; PSG hopes to reach an agreement before the season ends, but they are also prepared to continue negotiations until late May or even during the offseason.

Since Enrique's current contract runs until 2027, this means PSG holds the主动权 even without an extension. Any club wishing to recruit Enrique would need to pay PSG a substantial release clause. Enrique's current annual salary is as high as 12 million euros, meaning Manchester United would need to pay this amount to buy out his final year of contract.

Additionally, they would have to match the terms of PSG's new contract offer for Enrique, rumored to be around 20 million euros! Coupled with the club's transfer rebuilding plans, this is not easily achievable. Therefore, it is almost certain that Enrique will not coach Manchester United this summer.

Manchester United is very satisfied with interim manager Michael Carrick's work so far, but Ratcliffe's team still intends to follow the established head coach selection process, which began in April. According to Romano, a decision will be made "soon." However, seasoned United fans know that the club's "soon" often means slow—at least a month, or even two to three months.

With Arsenal securing an additional Champions League spot for the Premier League next season, Manchester United is close to returning to Europe's top competition. Barring any surprises, the Red Devils reaching the top five is almost assured. If Carrick leads the team to achieve this target, Ratcliffe would find it difficult to deny him a permanent appointment.

Unless Manchester United can persuade other more renowned top coaches, Enrique is already out of the picture. Zinedine Zidane is reportedly slated to replace Didier Deschamps as France's national team coach, Thomas Tuchel has renewed with the England national team, and Carlo Ancelotti's contract renewal talks with the Brazilian Football Confederation are very advanced.

Other managerial candidates pose greater risks than Carrick. Carrick has already gained support from United players and fans; if he officially secures Champions League qualification, he would naturally become the ideal choice for United's manager next season. Ratcliffe might offer him a short-term contract, hoping to invite Enrique or another desired elite coach at an opportune time in the future.

Next Monday, Manchester United will return to Premier League action after 24 days, hosting Leeds United at Old Trafford. Selected for Sky Sports broadcast, this "Roses Derby" has been postponed to Monday night, extending the wait for fans. If Manchester City can defeat Chelsea away, United has an opportunity to widen their lead over the sixth-placed team.

However, Carrick and his team hope the referee will not become the focal point of this match. In the last 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, several controversial decisions arose. Notably, assistant referee Richard West, who will officiate the United vs. Leeds match, is facing a police misconduct hearing.

51-year-old West's primary role is a superintendent at Humberside Police; recently, a female colleague complained about "inappropriate physical contact," and a hearing is scheduled for April 27. However, the Premier League Match Officials (PGMO), which oversees English football referees and assigns them to matches, seems not considering suspending him. West will continue as an assistant referee on Monday night, with Paul Tierney serving as the main referee.