Michael Carrick poised to return as Manchester United’s interim manager
Michael Carrick has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of Manchester United on a temporary basis, with negotiations understood to be advancing between the 44-year-old and the club, reports BritPanorama.
Senior figures at Old Trafford are working to finalise an appointment ahead of the squad’s return to training on Wednesday. Although no official decision has been confirmed, discussions with the former England international are reported to have made significant progress.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also been in the frame, with the Norwegian holding face-to-face talks with United officials on Saturday regarding a potential return to the club he managed between 2018 and 2021. The Red Devils are seeking short-term stability following a turbulent period, with Carrick’s deep connections to United placing him at the front of the queue.
Carrick previously stepped into the breach following Solskjaer’s departure in November 2021. During that brief three-match spell as interim boss, he secured victories in two fixtures, while the third ended level. His tenure concluded when Ralf Rangnick was appointed as the club’s temporary manager.
The Wallsend-born coach transitioned seamlessly from player to staff member at United, initially joining Jose Mourinho’s backroom team upon hanging up his boots at the conclusion of the 2017/18 campaign. His sole permanent managerial position came with Middlesbrough, where he spent two and a half years at the helm before being dismissed last June.
Carrick’s arrival at the Riverside in 2022 proved transformative, with the club sitting 21st in the Championship table when he took over. An impressive run saw Boro accumulate 40 points from his opening 17 matches, propelling them to fourth place and a play-off semi-final against Coventry, which they lost. Subsequent seasons were less successful, with the team finishing eighth and then tenth.
Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties on 5 January after 14 months at the helm, prompting the club to hand temporary control to Darren Fletcher. The former Scotland midfielder oversaw just two matches, securing a draw away to struggling Burnley in the league before Sunday’s FA Cup third-round exit against Brighton. That defeat appears set to mark the end of Fletcher’s brief stint in charge.
As Manchester United navigates yet another managerial shift, the prospect of Carrick’s return adds an intriguing chapter to the club’s storied history. His familiarity with the environment could be crucial in stabilising the team amid a challenging season.
