Michael Carrick has some clear transfer plans at Manchester United if he is to assume the permanent head coach position at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick’s past comments hint he will want “better players” at Manchester United if he continues beyond the summer, but insists consistency within the current squad is key.

United have been able to string together a good run of form under the interim boss, winning four out of their last five games and drawing one. Carrick is only in place at the helm until the end of the season, but recent results have kick-started a petition to keep the former club captain as a permanent fixture in the hot seat.

The former Middlesbrough manager has been open about his desire to stay, telling BBC Sport it’s the “ultimate” dream. He said: “It’s not a stock answer – for me, it’s the ultimate role.

“I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing. I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it and I’m here to do it.

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“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But, actually, I’m here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.

“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be but I love being here and while I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”

If Carrick does stay beyond this season then United fans will be pleased to hear of the manager’s former words on transfers. During his time as a player in 2011, the 44-year-old admitted that the club deserves the best of the best on the park.

While discussing midfield replacements as he and Paul Scholes contemplated a more veteran role, Carrick said: “At a club like this there are always going to be names being bandied around. To be honest, you want the best players to be here, whether it’s in my position or not. We’ve had it over the years and I’m sure we’ll have it again.”

His position on getting the best signings for the club isn’t likely to have changed since 2011 but instead matured as he adapted to the life of a coach. In fact, while managing at Boro, Carrick was adamant that solidifying his current squad was more important than a total overhaul in the transfer window.

He said: “In an ideal world, consistency and stability is what we need to build on for success. The players need to understand where we’re going and have those connections with each other.

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“It’s not a case where you can chop and change so many numbers so often. Sometimes circumstances will dictate that has to happen, like last summer.

“It’s not always fully under our control because there are other situations going on. But certainly, consistency and stability of a squad and group of players helps you improve and helps you improve together in order to achieve success.”