Michael Carrick admitted he was “very affected” by the news that Sir Alex Ferguson had been taken ill before Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Liverpool.
Ferguson, 84, was treated by medics and left Old Trafford in an ambulance before the 3.30pm kick-off on Sunday as he was taken to hospital.
Eyewitnesses said Ferguson was “okay” and United declined to comment on the health scare.
Carrick guided United to a tenth victory from 14 games on his watch and he hoped that the result – which clinched Champions League qualification – would give Ferguson a “good boost.”
He said afterwards: “I haven’t got any updates. So I don’t know the latest as we stand now.
“I did hear about it before the game. All I can say is I was very affected by it, the news.
“And then we just hope he’s all right. I just don’t know the latest but we hope for him to be in good shape and we wish him all the best and certainly thinking of him.
“Hopefully the result, when he hears about it, gives him a good boost.”
United will not confirm their next permanent head coach until after the season ends on May 24 but Carrick has made a compelling case to be kept on.
The 3-2 victory against Liverpool maintained Carrick’s 100 per cent record against top six clubs, having previously achieved wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
The 44-year-old’s son, Jacey, appeared to suggest his father could not do any more to earn the job on a full-time basis with Instagram posts celebrating United’s win and return to the Champions League.
Carrick also trumpeted his credentials, highlighting United’s seventh-place status when he took charge.
United appointed Carrick on January 13 and they have only suffered two defeats to leave them in third place, six points clear of Liverpool in fourth.
When asked if he would be “disappointed” not to remain in charge, Carrick replied: “We’ll have to wait and see.