Manchester United’s search for an interim manager has taken a late turn, and the mood around it feels different now. What looked settled a few days ago no longer does. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is no longer the clear frontrunner. Instead, Michael Carrick has edged ahead, quietly and without much warning. There has been no announcement. No briefing. Just a shift in tone behind the scenes, and that has been enough to change expectations. This is not being rushed. United look more concerned with avoiding another mistake than making a fast call.
CARRICK EDGES AHEAD IN LATE TWIST
Carrick is now expected to be appointed as interim manager until the end of the season. That represents a change from last week, when Solskjaer was widely viewed as the leading candidate after early discussions with the club. Both men have spoken to United. Carrick held face-to-face talks with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox at Carrington on Thursday. Solskjaer followed with his own meeting on Saturday.
According to The Guardian, no formal offer has been made to either candidate. Still, the direction has shifted. Internally, Carrick is now seen as the safer option if a decision is made quickly. That alone is telling. United have not rushed this, even as results have continued to slide.
🚨🛑 Michael Carrick has accepted all conditions of Manchester United contract proposal.
The agreement is almost done and it will be sealed THIS week, as expected.
Here we go, soon. 💣🔙 pic.twitter.com/ljUUmyTOfh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2026
WHY UNITED ARE LEANING THIS WAY
Carrick’s appeal is simple. He knows the building. He knows the people and understands how fragile the current situation is. This is not about vision or long-term philosophy. United want calm. They want control. Someone who can steady things without adding another layer of noise.
Carrick’s brief spell as caretaker in the past still counts. It passed without drama. Performances were solid. The mood improved slightly. That memory has not been forgotten. Solskjaer, for all his connection, would bring history back into the room. Good memories, but also unresolved ones. United appear wary of reopening that chapter right now.
FLETCHER’S SHORT SPELL ENDS WITHOUT RELIEF
Darren Fletcher has overseen United’s last two matches. Neither delivered much comfort. A 2-2 draw with Burnley in the league was followed by a 2-1 FA Cup defeat at home to Brighton. The latter ended United’s domestic cup campaign immediately.
The reaction was harsh. United were booed off the pitch. For the first time since 1981–82, they are out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle. With no European football this season, the calendar has thinned quickly. After the Brighton defeat, Fletcher accepted what felt inevitable.
“I have to report tomorrow morning to Carrington,” he said. “That is all I know.”
There was no defensiveness. Just disappointment.
A SEASON STRIPPED BACK
United’s campaign now feels narrow. League games only. Around 40 matches in total. The fewest the club have played in a season since before the First World War. That context matters. Pressure has not gone away. It has concentrated.
The next two fixtures underline the scale of the task. First comes the derby against Manchester City. Then a trip to league leaders Arsenal. There is no easing in. Whoever steps in will have little time to settle.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
United want clarity. Training cycles matter. Preparation matters even more now. Carrick looks best placed if the club decide to move fast. Solskjaer remains an option, but the temperature around his return has cooled slightly. Nothing is signed. Nothing is final. But the picture has changed.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This feels like a club choosing stability over sentiment. Carrick offers familiarity without reopening old debates. United are not chasing a lift. They are trying to stop further drift. In the context of this season, that may be the priority that matters most.
As featured on ManUNews.com