Michael Carrick's second reign as interim manager of Manchester United began perfectly, but the club are still thinking about their permanent options
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United with Omar Berrada, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Football Jason Wilcox during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 08, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United are yet to decide who their next permanent manager will be(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
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Manchester United are reportedly open to the idea of appointing a World Cup manager as their next permanent head coach - even if they have to wait until after the competition.
The club's newly appointed interim head coach, Michael Carrick, kicked off his second temporary stint with a 2-0 win against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon. However, the Red Devils are currently deliberating over who will take up the mantle as their next permanent head coach, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
Names linked with the role include Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti, Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, England's Thomas Tuchel, and Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently at the helm of the USA team. All four, however, will not be available until after the World Cup concludes on 19 July.
Despite this, reports suggest United are willing to bide their time until after the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico to announce their next permanent head coach at Old Trafford. The Telegraph has reported United may be prepared to wait until post-World Cup to make their appointment, with none of the four aforementioned managers being ruled out for the position.
The report also mentions that current and former Premier League managers Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola, and Roberto De Zerbi could potentially be contenders. The article further suggests the club has already decided on a crucial factor that will aid them in making their final decision.
The new permanent head coach will be chosen based on their ability to handle the immense pressure that comes with managing United. The next appointment is likely to be 'someone very different to Amorim'.
The Portuguese head coach was sacked after a fiery press conference following the 1-1 draw with Leeds earlier this month. Amorim was reportedly frustrated with 'micro-managing' from technical director, Jason Wilcox, with tension rumoured to exist between the two.
Former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
Rube Amorim was sacked as head coach of Manchester United at the start of the month(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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However, it appears the new head coach will be granted the same level of authority as Amorim had. This suggests there will be collaboration between the incoming head coach and key figures in a department overseen by Wilcox on certain decisions at the club.
Co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers will also have input on decision-making. Nonetheless, the result against United indicates that the club is in capable hands under Carrick, at least for the time being.
Manchester United's Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 17, 2026
Patrick Dorgu scored the vital second after Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Bryan Mbeumo completed a classic counter-attack just past the hour mark, sending Old Trafford into raptures. United could have sealed the game earlier if not for some outstanding goalkeeping from City's Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian's resistance was finally broken in the 76th minute when Patrick Dorgu slid in to convert Matheus Cunha's low cross into the far corner. The victory over City, coupled with Liverpool's unexpected draw against Burnley, means United are now just one point shy of the top-four positions.