Man Utd reach agreement in principle for Michael Carrick to lead club as interim boss

Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season.

The deal is subject to final contractual details being completed, with a formal announcement expected shortly.

If the process is concluded on schedule, Carrick would take charge of his first match against Manchester City in Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford.

United have been without a permanent manager since Ruben Amorim was dismissed earlier this month following a disappointing run of results.

The search for an interim appointment has been overseen by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

Final approval was required from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family before talks progressed to an advanced stage.

Carrick emerged as the leading candidate after holding face-to-face discussions with club executives, along with former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United ultimately moved forward with Carrick, who is understood to have strong backing within the dressing room and among the club’s football leadership.

The 44-year-old is no stranger to stepping into the role, having previously served as caretaker manager for three matches in late 2021.

During that spell, he oversaw wins against Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw away to Chelsea.

Carrick departed shortly afterwards when Ralf Rangnick was appointed interim manager for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

Since leaving Old Trafford, Carrick has built managerial experience with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

He took charge of the club in October 2022 with them sitting 21st and guided them to a fourth-place finish and the play-offs by the end of the season.

Middlesbrough were beaten by Coventry City in the semi-finals and later finished eighth and tenth in the following campaigns.

Carrick was dismissed at the end of the 2024-25 season but has remained highly regarded for his work in developing a clear playing identity.

As a player, Carrick made 464 appearances for Manchester United over 12 seasons.

He won five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League and multiple domestic cups during a decorated spell at the club.

Following his retirement in 2018, he immediately joined the coaching staff under Jose Mourinho and later worked closely with Solskjaer.

Darren Fletcher has been overseeing first-team duties since Amorim’s departure but is expected to return to his previous role once Carrick is confirmed.

United head into the weekend sitting seventh in the Premier League standings.

They are 11 points behind Manchester City after a 2-2 draw with Burnley and an FA Cup third-round exit to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Carrick’s immediate task will be to stabilise performances while the club continue their search for a permanent head coach.