Michael Carrick will take charge of his first Manchester United game on Saturday against their city rivals with a selection of experienced background staff
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on January 14, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Michael Carrick is ready for the challenge(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick has returned to Manchester United and will take the reins as head coach for the rest of the season. The former Red Devils captain was announced as Ruben Amorim's interim successor on Tuesday evening and will take on Manchester City in his first game in charge.
The former Middlesbrough manager had been out of a job since his sacking from Boro in June 2024. He led the Championship club to the play-offs in his first season in charge and also guided them to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in 2023/24.
Carrick described returning to Old Trafford as an "unbelievable feeling" as he said: "It's been part of my life for so long. The fact that I left the club for a number of years recently has never really left me, you know. I'm quickly focused on doing the job."
The 44-year-old will be joined by a host of backroom staff who will aim to get United climbing up the Premier League table - but who are they?
Travis Binnion
Travis Binnion, a former defender, will serve as one of four assistant coaches. The 39-year-old was previously the main coach for United’s Under-21s and the academy's head of player development and coaching.
It is understood that Binnion will aim to maintain a good bond between the academy and the first-team squad throughout the interim period.
Manchester United U21 manager Travis Binnion at LNER Stadium on September 30, 2025 in Lincoln, England.
Travis Binnion has made the jump from the youth set-up to the first-team squad(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Prior to Carrick's announcement, the ex-Sheffield United star had already been supporting the senior squad and had assisted Darren Fletcher against Burnley and Brighton.
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans was playing for United as recently as last year with 241 appearances under his belt at Old Trafford. The towering defender won three Premier League titles, a Champions League and a slew of domestic cups under various managements, including Ruben Amorim.
First Team Coach Jonny Evans of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on January 14, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Jonny Evans has went from player to coach in just 12 months(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Evans will work alongside former teammate Carrick, who he played with 130 times, in the dugout. This will mark the 38-year-old's first official step into management after retirement from professional football.
Steve Holland
Steve Holland is best known for his time as assistant manager to Gareth Southgate for the England national team. He was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 2022 after the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020 against Italy, which they lost on penalties.
However, Holland is most remembered for his alleged bust-up with Arsenal defender Ben White at the World Cup in Qatar. The Athletic reported that the pair argued after Southgate's No. 2 accused the centre-half of not taking on board the tactics and training data he was sharing with the team.
Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, and Steve Holland, Assistant Head Coach leave the tunnel for the second half during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
Steve Holland is best known for being Gareth Southgate's No. 2 in the England set-up(Image: Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Holland also brought up that White admitted he wasn't interested in football beyond his own career. In November 2022, he said: "Sitting down and watching a 90-minute game after I've trained all day and had four or five meetings about football, the last thing I want to do is watch more football."
White left the England camp not long into the World Cup and hasn't played for his country since, after turning down the opportunity to be called up again in 2024.
Holland also had spells at Crewe Alexandra, Chelsea and Yokohama F. Marinos.
Jonathan Woodgate
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick (r) in discussion with assistant Jonathan Woodgate during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday at Riverside Stadium on April 01, 2024 in Middlesbrough, England.
Jonathan Woodgate worked with Carrick at Boro(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Jonathan Woodgate worked with Carrick during his time at Middlesbrough, where he began his professional career. Woodgate also managed Boro after a spell as caretaker boss and then moved on to Bournemouth.
During his playing career, the defender played for the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and Tottenham and even spent three years with Real Madrid. However, his debut will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as Woodgate scored an own goal in the first half and was sent off after the break for a second yellow card.
Woodgate's career was ravaged by injury and he made just 14 appearances in Spain before returning to Middlesbrough.
And now the England international will join Carrick in the dugout as one of his first-team coaches.
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