Why Manchester United Hired Michael Carrick Again

Manchester United have confirmed that Michael Carrick has been appointed as the club’s interim head coach until the end of the season.

The 44-year-old former midfielder will be assisted by Steve Holland, while Jonathan Woodgate will also form part of his coaching staff.

Carrick returns to Man United for a second spell as caretaker manager, having led the first team for three games following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer midway through the 2021/22 season.

Those three games saw him deliver wins over Villarreal and Arsenal, either side of a draw with Chelsea. Therefore, Carrick has yet to lose as United boss, but that could change on Saturday when he begins his second spell in charge with a Manchester derby against Man City.

Carrick’s appointment comes just over a week after Ruben Amorim was sacked by United. Amorim was sacked after recording the lowest win percentage of any permanent Man United manager since 1972.

Darren Fletcher had been in charge of team selection and training since Amorim’s departure, but he will now return to his role with the U18 team.

Fletcher was in the dugout for a 2-2 draw at Burnley in the Premier League last week and a 2-1 home defeat by Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.

That loss to Brighton means that Man United are guaranteed their shortest season since 1914/15 in terms of games. They will play just 40 matches in all competitions after being knocked out of both domestic cup competitions at their first hurdle.

Of those 40 games, just 17 remain and Carrick is expected to be in charge for all of them. If he performs well and Carrick’s Man United tactics impress club chiefs, then there is a chance that he could be offered the job on a permanent basis.

Michael Carrick pictured during a Manchester United press conference when he was the club’s interim manager for the first time in 2021

Why have Manchester United hired Michael Carrick as interim manager?

Old Trafford chiefs were determined not to rush the appointment of their permanent successor to Amorim.

While Carrick could land the gig for keeps if he impresses between now and May, Man United’s top managerial target is Oliver Glasner, whose contract with Crystal Palace is due to expire at the end of June.

By hiring Carrick on a short-term basis, the United decision-makers have bought themselves some more time to make sure they hire the right candidate. Also, by waiting until Glasner’s current contract expires, United could also save a lot of money by avoiding having to pay a hefty compensation fee to Palace.

United have already paid out in excess of £62 million in compensation as a result of sacking managers during the Premier League era. That figure includes an estimated £9.63m in compensation to sack Amorim.

Other managers who may be available in the summer include Thomas Tuchel, Didier Deschamps, Lionel Scaloni, Roberto Martinez, Mauricio Pochettino and Andoni Iraola.

Manchester United confirm Michael Carrick appointment in 340-word statement

Carrick’s return to Old Trafford was officially confirmed on Tuesday evening when United published a 340-word club statement.

It began: “Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season.

“Carrick played 464 games for the club, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

“He joined the first-team coaching staff when he retired in 2018 and served under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s departure, Carrick led the club with distinction during his role as caretaker manager.

“The former England international was head coach at Middlesbrough for two-and-a-half years from October 2022.”

“It’s never really left me.” ❤️

Michael Carrick joined us for the latest episode of Inside Carrington — available from 19:45 GMT on the Man Utd app pic.twitter.com/P3K6xEgnhu

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2026

Carrick said within the statement: “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.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox added: “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.”