Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as interim coach until the end of the season.
Carrick has emerged as the favorite for the interim role after the club held talks with former midfielder and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the departure of Ruben Amorim on January 5.
Ski Sports News understands the hierarchy at the club were impressed with Carrick’s plans for the rest of the season.
United have only the Premier League to focus on after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton in the FA Cup, overseen by interim boss Darren Fletcher. Plans to appoint an interim coach were accelerated after that defeat.
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Darren Fletcher gave Manchester United a fair verdict following their exit from the FA Cup on Sunday
Carrick’s first game in charge of the club will be Saturday’s derby in Manchester, live on Ski Sports.
Gareth Southgate’s former England assistant coach Steve Holland will be Carrick’s No.2, while former Boro assistant and Leeds player Jonathan Woodgate, current U21 coach Travis Binion and Jonny Evans, who rejoined the club during Darren Fletcher’s transition, will also form part of the supporting squad.
Carrick returns to Manchester United
Carrick made 464 appearances for the club during his 12 years at Old Trafford, but remained there as part of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff when he retired in 2018.
Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m
Start at 12:30 p.m
After Mourinho was sacked in December that year, Carrick was briefly appointed caretaker manager before joining Solskjaer’s backroom staff upon his arrival on an interim basis.
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Charlie Austin joins the Supporters’ Club on Sky Sports News and gives his thoughts on the managerial developments at Manchester United
The duo, who were both in the running to replace Ruben Amorim as interim successor, remained at the club permanently when Solskjaer was handed the role in March 2019.
The Norwegian coach was sacked in November 2021, with Carrick once again taking over as interim boss, having remained unbeaten in his three games in charge with wins against Villarreal and Arsenal, as well as a point at Chelsea.
Carrick stepped down from his role and left the club when Ralf Rangnick arrived before taking over at Middlesbrough in October 2022.
Boro were 21st and one point above the relegation zone at the time of his appointment, but narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals that year, having climbed to fourth.
Carrick then led the team to eighth and 10th place finishes in the next two seasons, leading to his departure in June 2025.
What is Carrick’s style?
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Sky Sports’ David Reid looks at how Manchester United could potentially match Michael Carrick, analyzing his style of play during his time at Middlesbrough
Carrick mainly used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his time at Middlesbrough, occasionally reverting to Sir Alex Ferguson’s favored 4-4-2 on six occasions – more than the five times he opted for a three-at-the-back system.
Under his leadership, Middlesbrough recorded league-leading scores for big turnovers and quick-breaks, while also being among the best sides in increased attacks and direct attacks.
Given this, Carrick is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 with an aggressive press, combining patient possession-based build-up with frequent switching to long passes and quick transitions.
Monastery Utd next five matches
- January 17: Man City (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 12:30 p.m. live on Ski Sports
- January 25: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, kick-off 16.30, live on Ski Sports
- February 1: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 2 p.m., live on Ski Sports
- February 7: Tottenham (H) – Premier League, start at 12.30
- February 10: West Ham (A) – Premier League, start at 20.15