Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Carrick will be assisted by Steve Holland, who previously worked as the assistant manager to Gareth Southgate with the England national team, and recently managed Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos.
Jonathan Woodgate, who coached alongside Carrick at Middlesbrough, Carrick's former United teammate Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion, promoted from his role as United's under-21s coach, complete the backroom team. Darren Fletcher took charge of the Red Devils' recent fixtures against Burnley and Brighton, but he will return to coach United's under-18s side.
It will not be Carrick's first stint in the Old Trafford dugout. After an illustrious playing career, which saw him make 464 appearances for the club, Carrick joined United's first-team coaching staff when he retired in 2018 and he served under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After Solskjaer’s departure in 2021, Carrick stepped in as caretaker boss for three matches and won plaudits from the Old Trafford faithful. He will take charge again for the first time on Saturday, as United host rivals Manchester City in the Premier League, hoping to improve a campaign that currently leaves the club seventh in the table.
Carrick succeeds Ruben Amorim, who was dismissed earlier this month. He was Middlesbrough’s head coach from October 2022 until June 2025, leading Boro into the Championship play-offs in his first season before consecutive mid-table finishes, eighth then 10th, brought his spell at the Riverside Stadium to an end.
"There is still a lot to fight for this season"
Speaking on his appointment as interim head coach, Carrick said: ““Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.
“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.”
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.”