Michael Carrick looks on during a football match
Michael Carrick returns to Manchester United barely seven months after being sacked by Middlesbrough (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick's return to Old Trafford as interim head coach until the end of the season. The appointment comes a week after sacking Ruben Amorim, which United said was done to 'give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish'.
Carrick joins in time to take training on Wednesday as preparations get underway for the Manchester derby. Former England No.2 Steve Holland joins as Carrick's assistant, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion forming his backroom team. Ex-Newcastle and Leeds defender Woodgate was Carrick's assistant at Middlesbrough, while Evans and Binnion assisted Darren Fletcher for the games against Burnley and Brighton last week.
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The Scot was offered the chance to stay on the first-team staff under Carrick, but he has opted to return to his role as head coach of the Under-18s. Carrick now faces the task of achieving European football with the club in seventh and three points outside of the top four. United are winless in four matches and have not tasted victory since defeating Newcastle on Boxing Day.
United held talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the former providing the stiffest competition for Carrick. The former midfielder impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in face-to-face talks last Thursday.
The pair were impressed with Carrick's vision during their discussions and held further talks on Monday in order to conclude a deal. The club had met Solskjaer on Saturday. Carrick returns to Old Trafford after a brief stint as caretaker in 2021/22.
Michael Carrick poses for a photo
Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as interim head coach (Image: Getty)
Then, he won games against Villarreal and Chelsea, and drew against Arsenal, to leave the role with an undefeated record. The ex-United star decided to leave the Theatre of Dreams after being replaced by Ralf Rangnick, bringing to an end a three-year coaching spell with the club under Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer, which started following his retirement from playing in 2018.
Just under a year later, he became Middlesbrough boss and took the Championship team from 21st to fourth after taking over mid-season. Boro lost to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals and finished eighth the following season after reaching the final four of the League Cup for the first time in two decades, where they lost against Chelsea despite winning the first leg 1-0.
Carrick signed a three-year contract in the summer of 2024, but after a tenth-place finish last term, he was sacked. Speaking about his appointment, Carrick said: "Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.
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"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."
Elsewhere, Jason Wilcox, 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."
The club also shared its gratitude to Fletcher for stepping up as caretaker, explaining how the Scot will remain with the club as the lead coach of the U18s.