Manchester United confirm Michael Carrick appointment
By Simon Peach, Press Association Chief Football Writer
Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Manchester United head coach on a deal until the end of the season.
The former Red Devils midfielder, club captain and first-team coach returns to Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim was sacked last Monday following an acrimonious end to 14 underwhelming months in charge.
Carrick has been chosen to lead United ahead of ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had also been in talks with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox about the role.
The 44-year-old briefly stepped in as caretaker manager after the Norwegian was sacked in November 2021 and starts his second stint in the hotseat with Saturday’s derby clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is back ð¤
Our former captain is our Head Coach for the remainder of 2025/26 ð´— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2026
“I know what it takes to succeed here,” said Carrick, who made 464 appearances for the club.
“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.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the third candidate United spoke to about the position and sources have told the Press Association that Carrick was the unanimous choice having impressed throughout the process.
"It’s never really left me." â¤ï¸
Michael Carrick joined us for the latest episode of Inside Carrington — available from 19:45 GMT on the Man Utd app ð² pic.twitter.com/P3K6xEgnhu— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2026
The Old Trafford side decided to bring in a coach with an understanding of the club to smooth the transition into a short-term post having last week called time on Amorim’s patchy, and increasingly fractious, reign.
Carrick’s appointment for the remainder of the campaign is done with the belief he can help United achieve their ambitions, which interim boss Darren Fletcher said on Sunday was Champions League qualification.
Carrick’s arrival also gives Wilcox ample time to undergo a thorough process in deciding on the Portuguese’s long-term successor.
“Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United,” the director of football said.
“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.”
Wilcox and Carrick worked together in deciding a suitable backroom team, leading to the approach and subsequent appointment of Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.
Experienced Holland was Gareth Southgate’s assistant during his eight years as England boss, while Woodgate worked with Carrick at Middlesbrough and played alongside Wilcox at Leeds.
Former defender Jonny Evans, United’s under-21s coach Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson complete the coaching set-up after the trio worked under Fletcher during his two-game spell in interim charge.
Fletcher stepped up from his role as under-18s boss last week, overseeing last Wednesday’s 2-2 league draw at Burnley and Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup third-round exit at home to Brighton.
PA understands the former midfielder is rated exceptionally highly by the club hierarchy and turned down the opportunity to form part of Carrick’s staff in order to continue leading the under-18s.
United said in a statement: “The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Darren Fletcher for his leadership during the last week.
“Fletcher will remain as lead coach of the under-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team.”
Carrick was at new-look Carrington on Tuesday and is set to lead training on Wednesday after the players had two pre-planned days off.
The ex-England international takes over having been undefeated in his previous three matches in charge and then managed Championship outfit Middlesbrough between October 2022 until his sacking last June.
