Michael Carrick has been handed a stark warning that he "will be ridiculed for life" if he accepts the interim role at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim's sacking
10:46, 13 Jan 2026Updated 10:47, 13 Jan 2026
Michael Carrick
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Michael Carrick is set to be announced as United's interim manager(Image: )
Michael Carrick has been handed a brutal warning ahead of his reported announcement as Manchester United interim boss.
Carrick, 44, was snapped at Carrington on Tuesday morning with the Red Devils reportedly set to announce him as their head coach until the end of the season after parting ways with Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
However, he has been warned by former Red Devils star Paul Parker, who admitted Carrick is risking being "ridiculed for life" by accepting the Old Trafford role. Speaking to MyBettingSites.co.uk, the United legend said: "From now and until the end of the season will be a nightmare.
Michael Carrick
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Michael Carrick was snapped at Carrington on Tuesday(Image: PA)
"It is a big worry that the caretaker will have to be there for almost half a season. But on the other hand, who wants the job right now at Man Utd? Almost no one.
"It is very interesting, because in the ideal world the next manager should be thinking about what he could become. He can become the next Sir Alex Ferguson.”
“But the chances are that you are going to fail and be ridiculed for life. Your life and family life will be changed, and not in a good way.”
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
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Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were the two frontrunners for the role(Image: Getty Images)
Carrick had been the frontrunner for the role alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Parker had advised against hiring the Norwegian for a second time: "Personally, I don`t think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should come back, but I do understand why a lot of fans would love it.
"But it was a bad ending for him, and he hasn`t really done anything since that makes you believe he can improve Man Utd. It was awful at the end so I don`t think they will go down that road again.”
“Michael Carrick's name has been mentioned because he was unbeaten last time as an interim manager, and now they are looking for an interim manager again.”
Paul Parker won two Premier League titles with Manchester United
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Paul Parker won two Premier League titles with Manchester United(Image: David Davies/Offside via Getty Images)
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“An interim manager is just another word for a babysitter. An interim manager is babysitting, and at Man Utd the interim manager will be a babysitter, because there are a lot of babies in that squad.
"They are not real men. The vast majority of the squad will be looking at the interim manager saying, well you are not the manager, so why should I follow your instructions?
"A small minority will be professionals and do their job properly.”