Manchester United’s search for an interim manager has increasingly turned inward, with the mood inside the dressing room becoming a significant factor in the club’s thinking after players showed their support for Michael Carrick.
Following a period of instability and mixed messaging from the touchline, United’s hierarchy are keen to appoint a figure who can quickly restore clarity, trust and consistency. As talks continue behind the scenes, players have not been kept entirely at arm’s length from the process, and their views are understood to be feeding into wider discussions.
With a crucial run of fixtures ahead and little time for adjustment, the club are prioritising familiarity, communication and buy-in from the squad as they edge closer to a short-term appointment.
United dressing room increasingly receptive to Michael Carrick interim role
Michael Carrick
According to ESPN, Manchester United players are supportive of Carrick being appointed interim manager until the end of the season. Sources say Carrick has significant backing within the squad, with several senior figures favouring his calm approach and detailed coaching style following his previous time at Old Trafford.
United are aiming to confirm an interim appointment within the next 24 hours, with Carrick set to get the nod over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after both held face-to-face talks. The 44-year-old will replace Darren Fletcher, who took temporary charge for two matches after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim last week.
ESPN report that United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox had met both Carrick and Solskjaer in recent days, with the intention of installing a new coach early this week to allow preparation time ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Why Carrick resonates with the current squad
Michael Carrick
Sources indicate that Carrick’s appeal inside the dressing room is rooted in familiarity and trust rather than nostalgia. Players who worked with him previously remember his clear communication, tactical clarity and ability to deliver messages without inflaming tension during difficult periods. His understated style is viewed as a contrast to recent upheaval, with some senior players believing Carrick could quickly stabilise the environment without overcomplicating instructions.
Carrick’s brief spell as caretaker manager in 2018, followed by his move into management with Middlesbrough, has also enhanced his credibility. Although his time at Middlesbrough ended last summer, players are understood to respect his willingness to step into pressure roles and his understanding of how United operate at close quarters.
What this means for United’s final decision
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retains supporters within the club and remains confident of landing the role, Carrick’s backing from inside the dressing room has proved decisive. United’s leadership are conscious that any interim appointment must carry immediate authority and acceptance to avoid further disruption.
With preparation time limited and the fixture list unforgiving, player buy-in is being treated as a priority rather than an afterthought. A final call is expected imminently, with United hopeful that aligning the decision with dressing-room sentiment will help steady the club during a critical phase of the season.
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