January 13 – Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, turning to yet another familiar figure as the club looks to steady itself following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Carrick, 44, edged ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjær – another former player and coach – during the interview process and is expected to take charge when players return to training on Wednesday. United’s hierarchy have indicated he will be backed in the transfer market should a long-term opportunity arise, with funds available if a deal fits both sporting and financial criteria.
There is also likely to be continuity within the coaching setup. Darren Fletcher, who oversaw the two matches following Amorim’s exit, is expected to remain involved, while Carrick has sounded out former England defender Jonathan Woodgate about joining his staff. The pair previously worked together at Middlesbrough, where Carrick’s only full managerial stint yielded 63 wins from 136 games between 2022 and 2025.
Given Amorim’s two-man midfield preference – which is now likely to switch to three – midfield reinforcements are a priority this transfer window. Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves has been identified as a potential target, with a deal for the Portugal international thought to be possible for around £20 million.
Carrick already has brief experience in the role at Old Trafford, having gone unbeaten across a three-match caretaker spell in late 2021 before Ralf Rangnick took the reins. He steps in again with United seventh in the Premier League, three points outside the Champions League places and huddled in that middle portion of the table which has so little room for error to keep pace.
His immediate challenge is restoring confidence after Sunday’s FA Cup defeat by Brighton, a result that robbed United of their only tangible chance of silverware this season. Carrick’s tenure begins with a trail by fire: first the Manchester derby on Saturday, followed by a trip to league leaders Arsenal.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1768302929labto1768302929ofdlr1768302929owedi1768302929sni@g1768302929niwe.1768302929yrrah1768302929
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