Manchester United has officially designated former midfield stalwart Michael Carrick as interim manager to guide the team through the remainder of the current season. The 44-year-old club legend, who secured an impressive 12 major trophies during his 12-year playing tenure at Old Trafford, steps into the role following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim last week after a disappointing 14-month period.
Carrick, who previously held an unbeaten record during a brief three-match caretaker stint in 2021, faces the immediate challenge of preparing the squad for Sunday’s crucial Premier League derby against Manchester City. His appointment comes at a critical juncture as United currently sit seventh in the table, positioned just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and one point behind Brentford in fifth.
The club’s hierarchy views Carrick as a ‘safe pair of hands’ due to his extensive experience both as a player and coach within the organization. Director of Football Jason Wilcox emphasized Carrick’s qualifications, stating: ‘Michael is an excellent coach who knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United. He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players as we build toward regular and sustained success.’
Carrick’s most recent managerial experience came at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he was dismissed in June after failing to achieve promotion despite having one of the division’s largest budgets. However, his previous interim performance at United—which included impressive results against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Villarreal—convinced management of his capability to stabilize the team.
The new interim manager expressed honor at his appointment, declaring: ‘I know what it takes to succeed here. My focus is now on helping the players reach the standards we expect at this incredible club. There is still much to fight for this season, and we are ready to pull everyone together to deliver the performances our loyal supporters deserve.’
With United eliminated from both domestic cups and European competition, the team faces its shortest season since 1914/15, playing only 40 matches. Carrick’s primary objective will be securing Champions League qualification, with a top-five finish likely sufficient due to English clubs’ strong European performance.