Michael Carrick will sign a new contract with Middlesbrough despite Premier League interest

Michael Carrick is expected to sign a new deal at Middlesbrough and commit his future to the club following interest from the Premier League.

The 42-year-old former Manchester United midfielder has a year left on his current terms at the Riverside, but it is understood there is a deal in place for an extension after completing his first full season as Boro manager.

He guided Boro to the 2022/23 play-offs after taking over from Chris Wilder in October, then securing an eighth-place finish in the Championship this season and reaching the semi-finals EFL Cups.

Premier League clubs and Championship promotion contenders have viewed Carrick as a manager with huge potential, with his other stint at United where he was on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff and was caretaker manager for three matches when the Norwegian was dismissed.

But securing his future at Boro will be a huge boost for his club as they look to build on the work of the past 19 months and launch a promotion challenge next season, seven seasons after they were relegated from the Premier League.

Carrick’s first signing of the summer will be Luke Ayling, who has been on loan at Boro for the past six months. He was handed a short-term move to the Riverside in January from Leeds, with fans saying an emotional farewell to the 32-year-old.

With his contract at Leeds expiring, Ayling also had interest from Sheffield United as a free agent, but has agreed a deal at Boro and will play there next season. It has been confirmed that Paddy McNair will leave Boro after six years at the club, with his contract up this summer.

“After six years and 219 appearances, my time at Middlesbrough has come to an end,” McNair posted on Instagram. “Thank you very much to all the players, staff and fans for their support over the years. I look forward to the next chapter.”