Michael Carrick has become the favourite to be appointed Manchester United's new interim manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer falling behind
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays FA Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on December 23 2007, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick was previously Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick is expected to become Manchester United's new interim manager, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo's prediction a step closer. Carrick, 44, has overtaken Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the race for the job, having both had interviews with United's hierarchy in the back half of last week.
The former Red Devils midfielder was an assistant coach at Old Trafford between July 2018 and December 2021. Before choosing to leave shortly after Solskjaer's sacking, Carrick took charge of United for three games.
Those were a 2-0 win away to Villarreal in the Champions League, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Premier League and a 3-2 victory at home to Arsenal. Carrick then stepped aside, allowing Ralf Rangnick to take the reins.
Ronaldo scored three times during that period and paid tribute to his ex-team-mate upon his departure. "Michael Carrick was a class act as a player and he can become a great coach as well," the former United striker wrote on social media.
"Nothing is impossible for this guy. Personally, I'm proud to have played with him by my side as well as with him as a manager on our bench."
Now Carrick is set to have the chance to prove Ronaldo right. To do so, the 34-time England international would have prove his doubters wrong.
In November 2022, Carrick was appointed Middlesbrough manager. The 44-year-old achieved an impressive play-off finish in his first season but after failing to win promotion over the next two campaigns, he was sacked by Boro last June.
Carrick had two years left on his contract at Middlesbrough but their 10th-place finish wasn't enough to satisfy the board. He'd been joined by his brother, Graeme, and former Boro star Jonathan Woodgate in the dugout.
Should United decide to give Carrick the job on an interim basis, his first game would be the small matter of a Manchester derby, as the Red Devils host bitter rivals City on Saturday. The following weekend, it's a trip to league leaders Arsenal.
United have been managed by under-18s boss and Carrick's ex-team-mate, Darren Fletcher, for the past two games after the sacking of Ruben Amorim. Fletcher started off with a 2-2 draw away to Burnley last Wednesday.
On Sunday, United were dumped out of the FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Brighton at a miserable Old Trafford. It means that Carrick's remit would solely be achieving the best possible league finish, as United emphasised in their statement when sacking Amorim.
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