MICHAEL CARRICK hopes his Manchester United connections can win him the Middlesbrough job.
The former Red Devils captain and coach wants to bring old United allies Mike Phelan and Rene Mulensteen with him if he becomes the Riverside boss.
The legendary United boss retired nine years ago
Carrick is in the frame to take over at troubled Boro
Former Huddersfield manager Carlos Corberan is Carrick’s main rival.
But Carrick, 41 — who had a short spell as caretaker chief at Old Trafford — can name Sir Alex Ferguson as a reference as he pushes for his first crack at being a full-time manager.
Boro owner Steve Gibson is meeting candidates as he closes in on a decision.
Corberan, 39, is available after a spell with Olympiacos and knows the Championship well.
He could be tempted to return to England and work with head of football, Kieran Scott.
Corberan led Huddersfield to the play-off final before they lost to Nottingham Forest last season.
He then stunned fans by quitting just days into pre-season during the summer.
Rob Edwards — recently axed by Watford — also has support.
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Coventry’s Mark Robins is another candidate but would command hefty compensation.
Chris Wilder was last week axed as Boro boss by Scott after a breakdown in his relationship with Gibson.
Wilder had hoped to see owner Gibson personally — but he will not be hitting out at his ex-employers as his payment from the club goes on for months.
The former Sheffield United manager is still keen on another managerial post if the right one comes up.
Many had backed Boro as being among those who could challenge for promotion in pre-season.
But their season has descended into chaos with the club losing away to Millwall today.
It means they sit just above the relegation zone with only three wins from 13 games this season.
Leo Percovich, a coach at the club under Aitor Karanka, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Warnock and then Wilder, was placed in temporary charge following Wilder’s dismissal.
He guided Boro to a 1-0 win over Birmingham on Wednesday but the Uruguayan could not keep momentum going at the Den today as a Zian Flemming double condemned the Teesside club to another defeat.
