Michael Carrick, a former Manchester United midfielder, has taken over the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the 2025/26 campaign on an interim basis and The Athletic journalist Andy Mitten has revealed how the squad are really feeling about the 44-year-old's appointment.
Ruben Amorim's hodgepodge stewardship came to an end after 14 months once he alluded to a breakdown in relationships between himself and the club boardroom bosses following their 1-1 draw with Leeds United and Elland Road. Darren Fletcher replaced him on a caretaker basis.
Fletcher has returned to his original position as Under-18s boss and Carrick, pipping club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the role because he understands that it is purely until the end of 2025/26, will now oversee their remaining 17 matches of the Premier League campaign.
How Man Utd Players Have Reacted to Michael Carrick's Appointment at Carrington
Michael Carrick
Carrick, who won five titles and the solitary Champions League crown in 464 matches for United, was thrown straight into the deep end after his former teammate, Fletcher, oversaw a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in his second (and final) match in charge. That saw United knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, meaning league fixtures are now the sole focus.
Tasked with securing top four credentials come May 2026, Carrick will face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in his first match back in the hotseat. But how have the players reacted to yet another managerial change?
At United, it's been nothing short of a mess since Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his carer in the summer of 2013 – and fans are becoming tired of the managerial merry-go-round. Could the appointment, set to be made in the summer after Carrick's brief stint, be the man to finally break the curse?
In terms of Carrick's influence, speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Mitten claimed the former Middlesbrough manager has been a 'breath of fresh air' after replacing Amorim at the helm. "The mood is on the floor among fans. But I am told, and this is from reliable sources. If you don’t want to hear this — fine, I’m just doing my job," he said.
"The mood has improved this week inside Carrington — breath of fresh air. This isn’t a slight against Ruben Amorim, this is just normal when a manager goes because they tend to leave in tense circumstances."
Mitten, who is one of the most reputable reporters for United supporters, insisted that Amorim's departure was tense and that could play into the hands of Carrick, who has Steve Holland, Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate as part of his backroom staff.
"There is tension. That’s why they’ve lost a job," Mitten said regarding Amorim. "That’s why they’ve left. So when anyone comes in, you or I could go in there. Actually, it’s a terrible example because we’ll probably get laughed at. But someone who’s respected, like Michael, comes in. You will have players there thinking, ‘alright, I’ve got a chance. I’ve got a new boss. I’ve got a new chance.”
Carrick Thrown Straight into the Deep End... Will He Sink or Swim?
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick before facing Stoke City
In terms of being associated with United, there are few matches – barring against Liverpool, perhaps – more intense than a Manchester derby. Carrick beat City 13 times in the Premier League as a player, with Sunderland being the only side he recorded more wins (16) against, but will that ring true when he's in the dugout instead of on the pitch?
Boosted by the returns of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom will be back to club duties after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Carrick could kick-start an important period of his career with a victory over their Manchester neighbours.
Michael Carrick – Managerial Statistics
Club
Middlesbrough
Man Utd (Caretaker)
For Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and the club's higher-ups – including Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada – will mark the summer with a permanent replacement for Amorim, who arrived from Sporting CP in November 2024 to plenty of fanfare.
All in all, things didn't work out – and there will be tonnes of pressure on the shoulders of the next permanent boss. Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann are among the favourites to become the next man to try and emulate the former glory of Ferguson and his entourage.
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 16/01/2026