Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle to appoint Michael Carrick as their interim head coach until at the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was sacked last week
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has recently described the Glazers as "nice people" that are "passionate" about Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers had to sign off on Michael Carrick(Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))
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Michael Carrick is set to become Manchester United’s new interim head coach. Carrick was pictured arriving at Carrington on Tuesday morning ahead of his appointment being confirmed.
Carrick previously took charge of United in a caretaker role for three matches after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked as manager in late 2021. Solskjaer was also considered for the interim role, but Carrick’s hands-on coaching abilities are believed to be key in him getting the nod from the United hierarchy.
According to The Athletic, the process of appointing an interim coach has been led by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. However, the report also claims that sign-off was required by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
The former England midfielder, who made 464 appearances for United during a 12-year stint, will sign a contract until the end of the season. Attention will now turn to bringing in a permanent successor to Amorim.
Former England assistant manager Steve Holland is set to be Carrick's assistant, while Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion will also be part of his coaching staff.
Asked whether he would join Carrick’s staff, Wayne Rooney said. “Of course I would! I think it’s a no-brainer if that’s the situation.
“I think what the club needs is people around the place, whether Michael goes in, whether Fletch (Darren Fletcher), John O’Shea, myself, you need people around who know the football club, (people like) Roy Keane…
“Having people who know the club, who care for the club, people who understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player. I think that’s where the club needs to be.
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lift the FA Cup for Manchester United in 2016
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lifting the FA Cup for Manchester United in 2016(Image: Christopher Lee - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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“We spoke earlier in this season about how it’s lost that identity, that family feel. I think it’s a great opportunity to bring the spirit of Manchester United back into the club.”
While speaking on the BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old former England captain revealed he had only been on holiday with the Carrick last week.
He said: “I was with him in Barbados last week! So obviously none of us saw this coming. Michael is a very clever person and he’ll command respect from the dressing room.”
Carrick’s first game in charge is set to come against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, and he has been out of work since leaving Middlesbrough last year.
He was named Boro boss in October 2022 and reached the Sky Bet Championship play-offs in his first season but was dismissed last summer.