Ed Woodward relieved Jose Mourinho of his duties at Manchester United yesterday before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as caretaker manager until the summer.
Carrick took training yesterday and is in charge today with Solskjaer expected to be unveiled tomorrow.
The former striker will take charge against Cardiff and is expected to harmonise the dressing room after a turbulent two and a half years under Mourinho.
But, according to the Independent, United players wanted Carrick to take over until the summer.
The former club captain joined Mourinho’s coaching team in the summer and is expected to remain at the club under Solskjaer.
Carrick is believed to still have a strong relationship with many of the players despite the ill feeling during the Mourinho rein.
Mourinho clashed with Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez at various times over the course of his spell in charge.
Carrick was put in temporary charge yesterday but it was made clear an external candidate was going to get the job for the rest of the season.
“Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect,” a statement read yesterday.
“The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.
“A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.” Solskjaer is looking forward to the challenge and will return to Molde in May.
He said: “Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and everyone at the club.”
Mike Phelan is also back at the club and will work as Solskjaer’s assistant as well as continuing his job as sporting director at Central Coast Marriners.
“Taking on a temporary coaching role at Manchester United is extremely exciting,” Phelan said.
“It’s also a really positive step for the Mariners to have a direct link with Manchester United as I will continue my role as Sporting Director.
“I’m still a Mariner. I’ve put something in place that I want to see through. This might be a small distraction, but it’s with one of the biggest clubs in the world that I simply couldn’t turn down.”