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Michael Carrick has emerged as the leading candidate to become Manchester United’s caretaker head coach, according to sources familiar with the ongoing discussions.
Club officials are keen to have an interim appointment in place before players return to training on Wednesday, with talks understood to have progressed positively with the 44-year-old former midfielder. Although a final decision has yet to be made, Carrick is currently viewed as the frontrunner.
Carrick previously served as United’s temporary manager in 2021 following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. During that brief three-match spell, he recorded two wins and a draw before stepping aside for Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed interim boss. Carrick left the club soon after Rangnick’s arrival.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer is reported to have held face-to-face talks with United officials on Saturday regarding a potential return to the club.
United are searching for stability after sacking Ruben Amorim on January 5, bringing an end to the Portuguese coach’s 14-month tenure. In the immediate aftermath, former United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher was placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs.
Fletcher oversaw a 1–1 Premier League draw at struggling Burnley last Wednesday before Sunday’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton, a match expected to be his second and final game in charge.
Carrick’s credentials
Carrick enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Old Trafford, making 464 appearances in all competitions between 2006 and 2018 after joining from Tottenham Hotspur under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Following his retirement, he transitioned directly into coaching, joining José Mourinho’s backroom staff at the end of the 2017–18 season. He remained part of the first-team coaching setup after Mourinho’s dismissal and throughout Solskjaer’s 168-game reign as manager.
As a manager, Carrick’s only permanent role came with Championship side Middlesbrough, where he spent two and a half years in charge before being sacked last June. He guided Boro to the Championship play-offs in the 2022–23 season, but they were eliminated by Coventry City in the semi-finals. Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on the top six in the following campaigns, ultimately costing Carrick his job.
While Carrick does not possess the same level of managerial experience as Solskjaer, his deep familiarity with the club and previous interim success place him firmly in contention as United seek a short-term solution.
