Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick as interim manager

Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as the club’s new interim head coach until the end of the season.

United, who announced the appointment on Tuesday, with the deal including the former midfielder’s proposed staff. The 44-year-old’s first game in charge of the club be against rivals Manchester City on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Former England assistant Steve Holland, former players Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, and Under-21s coach Travis Binnion make up Carrick’s backroom team.

Upon his appointment, Carrick said: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour. I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.

“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years. I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.

“There is still a lot to fight for this season. We are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”

Darren Fletcher, who led the team for two games following Ruben Amorim’s sacking on January 5, was offered the opportunity to stay on alongside Carrick but instead will return to his role with the Under-18s.

It was widely reported on Monday that Carrick had moved into pole position for the role after he and former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had held face-to-face talks with club executives.

The process of appointing an interim coach was led by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

Sign-off was required by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, and attentions will now turn to identifying a permanent successor to Amorim.

Wilcox said: “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United.

“He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.”

Carrick previously took charge of United as caretaker manager for three matches following Solskjaer’s sacking in the autumn of 2021, winning twice and drawing once. He left the club after Ralf Rangnick was appointed as interim boss until the end of the 2021-22 season, having previously been part of the coaching staff under Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer immediately following his retirement in 2018.

Carrick was appointed at Championship side Middlesbrough in October 2022, guiding them from 21st when he took over to fourth by the end of the season. They lost to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals. Middlesbrough finished eighth in 2023-24, with Carrick awarded a three-year contract at the end of the season, before coming 10th in 2024-25, with the Englishman sacked at the end of the campaign.

As a player, Carrick made 464 appearances for United in a 12-year period, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League. He previously played for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Amorim was sacked by United after 14 months in the role, with Fletcher installed to take charge of the team on an interim basis.

United drew 2-2 against Burnley on Wednesday and were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Brighton & Hove Albion following a 2-1 loss on Sunday.

United head into Saturday’s derby seventh in the Premier League, 11 points and five places behind City.