Michael Carrick 'in line for shock Premier League job' with Man Utd legend working wonders at Middlesbrough

WEST HAM could target Middlesbrough manager and former Hammer Michael Carrick if they sack David Moyes, reports suggest.

Moyes has come under fire amid an intense relegation scrap that heated up on Saturday when the Hammers suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Brighton.

SunSport understand chairman David Sullivan and the board are sticking by him but pressure is mounting with the team 16th in the Premier League table and just one point away from the danger zone.

According to The Times, Carrick is expected to be a potential replacement if the 59-year-old tactician is relieved of his duties.

That would see the Manchester United legend replacing his former Old Trafford boss in the dugout.

The former midfielder played for Moyes at Old Trafford during the latter's ill-fated stint that barely lasted nine months after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm in 2013.

That would also mark an emotional return to West Ham for the England international, who started out in the academy at the age of 16 before his senior call-up two years later.

Carrick spent five years with the East Londoners, who also loaned him out to Swindon and Birmingham, before his departure for Tottenham in 2004 and ultimately United two years later.

The 41-year-old amassed a total of six goals and three assists in 153 appearances for West Ham.

Carrick is still popular among the fans and has earned plenty of admirers from the club's hierarchy thanks to his impressive work at Middlesbrough.

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The ex-Tottenham star took over at Boro in October when they had slumped to 21st place.

And thanks to the ex-United caretaker's efforts, the Championship outfit has climbed up to third place within just a few months.

Under Carrick, Middlesbrough have won a whopping 14 out of 20 matches across all competitions and lost a mere five.