Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick as the team's head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Earlier this month, United decided to sack Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese head coach being informed of his dismissal by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The news came after tensions between Amorim and Wilcox came to a head in a meeting about tactics and transfers on January 2, just days before their Premier League clash against Leeds United.
After the 1-1 draw against Leeds, Amorim proceeded to send a message to the club's football department, claiming he joined to be "a manager, not the coach". It was the final straw for those behind the scenes.
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On the morning of January 5, Amorim said his goodbyes following a 14-month stint after United's leadership team "reluctantly decided" it was the right time to make a change.
Darren Fletcher, the club's under-18 manager, was placed in interim charge for games against Burnley and Brighton.
But on Monday, it was confirmed that another former Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick, will take over until the end of the season following positive face-to-face talks with club executives.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also in contention but Wilcox and Berrada, who have led the process to appoint an interim, decided to appoint Carrick.
A statement from the club read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season. Carrick played 464 games for the club, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
"He joined the first-team coaching staff when he retired in 2018 and served under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s departure, Carrick led the club with distinction during his role as caretaker manager. The former England international was head coach at Middlesbrough for two-and-a-half years from October 2022."
Back in 2021, Carrick took charge for three games as interim before being replaced by Ralf Rangnick. He went on to manage side Middlesbrough and enjoyed early success with the Championship side.
He was dismissed by the Teesside club in June 2025 after two-and-a-half years in charge.
Reacting on social media, it was pointed out that United did not refer to Carrick as an interim manager, something they did when they announced Solskjaer's appointment back in 2018.
Sky Sports' Rob Harris wrote: "Michael Carrick probably counts as Man United’s seventh manager post Alex Ferguson as the club isn’t calling him interim."
Speaking following his appointment, Carrick said: "Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour. I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here. There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
Topics: Michael Carrick, Manchester United, Football
Jack Kenmare