The former United midfielder and captain has accepted the job, which will see Carrick appointed as United manager to the end of this season.
BBC Sport is reporting only minor details need to be settled, but there is confidence the Geordie could put pen to paper by the end of the day.
United are keen to settle terms with Carrick in order to have in charge for when the players return to full-scale training on Wednesday ahead of the weekend's Manchester derby.
Carrick will succeed Ruben Amorim, who was axed last Monday after 14 months as United manager. He is available after leaving Middlesbrough last season.
Darren Fletcher has been standing in for the past two games. For the moment, the Scot is expected to revert to his U18 post, though he could also join Carrick's senior coaching staff.