Michael Carrick: Man United caretaker will bring in new assistant coach

Manchester United are set to appoint Michael Carrick as permanent caretaker until the end of the season – but the English coach will bring in an interesting addition as his assistant, according to a new report.

Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had emerged as the two frontrunners to take the reins at Old Trafford after INEOS sacked Ruben Amorim last week.

Despite 14 months of unwavering support, and over £200 million spent in the summer to help reinvent United’s squad in his 3-4-2-1 image, Amorim turned on the club’s hierarchy in a fiery press conference after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

Less than 24 hours later, the club announced the Portuguese tactician, along with his entire coaching staff, had been dismissed with immediate effect.

Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher took charge of the senior side on a temporary basis, overseeing the draw with Burnley and the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

There were some suggestions the 41-year-old Scot could take on the position permanently, given the positive impression he had made last week. But these disappointing results ruled him out of the running, with Ruud van Nistelrooy also understood to be under consideration.

From the four United legends, it is Carrick who has won the race to steady the sinking ship at Old Trafford, however, with official confirmation expected tomorrow.

The 44-year-old, who spent nearly three years as Middlesbrough’s manager, having previously been Solskjaer’s assistant coach, delivered a “strong interview” which won over sporting director Jason Wilcox, who had initially favoured the Norwegian – a decision backed by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Carrick will not be coming alone, with the new caretaker set to turn a former colleague – and rival of the Red Devils – for help.

GIVEMESPORT reports Carrick is “hoping to bring” Jonathan Woodgate with him into the United dugout.

“Manchester United are hoping to appoint Michael Carrick within the next few hours, and the former Middlesbrough manager is hoping to bring in former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate as part of his coaching staff, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

“Following his retirement, Woodgate has gone into coaching and was most recently with Carrick at Middlesbrough. Woodgate also spent time with Bournemouth as a first-team coach, before being appointed as their manager towards the end of the 2020/2021 season.”

The rivalry between United and Leeds is one of the fiercest in English football, making it an interesting decision for United’s new boss to bring in a player who came through the youth system at Elland Road to make 140 appearances for the Whites.

But it makes sense for Carrick to look for familiar faces, even if they are from unfamiliar origins, as he takes on the biggest challenge of his career – as either a player or manager. Fletcher is also under consideration to remain part of first-team staff, alongside the recently returned Jonny Evans, two players he previously shared the United dressing room.

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