WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Manchester United's coach Michael Carrick chats with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the dugout during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on August 29, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick has been preferred to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of as their new interim manager. Carrick, 44, has signed a deal until the end of the season.
Ex-United manager was also in the running and it was speculated that , as he did between December 2018 and November 2021. But United have snubbed Solskjaer after senior players vetoed his opponent and have now chosen to appoint the former boss, who returns to Old Trafford after four years away.
Two and a half of those were spent at Boro, where Carrick achieved a play-off finish in his first season. His next two campaigns were less successful and .
After talks with United CEO Omar Berrada and the club's sporting director, , Carrick is viewed as the right man to take United forward. The Red Devils have opted to go down the interim route after sacking last week.
“Having the responsibility to lead -united-fc> is an honour," Carrick said.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.
“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
came off the back of a tumultuous festive period in which he . United will now conduct a thorough search for his permanent successor, with England boss Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and among those on the shortlist.
During his playing career, Carrick amassed 17 trophies with United, including five titles and one . Their triumph in 2016 meant that the 34-time international had won every major trophy he'd competed for at club level.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Manchester United Coaches Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher look on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 2, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Darren Fletcher oversaw Manchester United's last two games
Carrick retired in 2018 and made an immediate start to his coaching career, joining backroom staff at Old Trafford. He was retained by Solskjaer and spent the next three years as one of his assistants alongside Kieran McKenna.
After Solskjaer's sacking, Carrick took charge of the Red Devils on a caretaker basis for their next three games. United went unbeaten, winning two games and drawing one.
He becomes the club's 12th different interim or full-time manager since retirement in 2013. Carrick will receive a baptism of fire, as United welcome bitter rivals in the at 12:30pm on Saturday.
Jason Wilcox, United director of football, added: “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United.
“He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.”
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