Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as the club’s interim manager through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign, following Ruben Amorim’s exit in the first week of January, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old was in contention for the interim job alongside Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had previously overseen the side for three years between 2018 and 2021. Carrick will be in charge for 17 games before a decision on a permanent manager will be appointed later this summer.
“Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour,” Carrick told the club’s official website.
“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.
Carrick and his coaching staff will take over with immediate effect ahead of Saturday’s derby against Manchester City. He will be will be supported by Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans and Craig Mawson.
Michael Carrick talks us through his footballing philosophy in our latest Inside Carrington podcast 🧠🔴
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2026
“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,” added Carrick.
Previously, Amorim indicated a breakdown of relations with the club hierarchy in a fiery press conference after United’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road on January 3. The Portuguese suggested that the club needed to change if it could not handle commentary from television pundits like former United player Gary Neville.
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Since Amorim’s departure, United had handed over the reins to Darren Fletcher, under whom the side eked out a 2-2 draw against Burnley before crashing out of the FA Cup with a third-round defeat to Brighton last Sunday.
Carrick, who spent the majority of his playing career at United between 2006 and 2018, featuring in 316 games, has previously stood in as caretaker manager during another period of transition after Solskjaer’s exit in 2021. He oversaw three matches, with two wins and a draw. He had had a comprehensive stint as manager with Middlesbrough between 2022 and June 2025, overseeing 136 games with a success rate of 46.32. Carrick was sacked following a tenth-placed finish for the side in the English second division last season.
Club legend Wayne Rooney had recently approved of Carrick’s potential appointment, adding that he would be keen to join his former United teammate’s coaching set-up if needed.
“Michael loves the football club and would step in to do a job if he can. It’s an opportunity to go and show what he can do over the next few months and make the owners look at him and say we don’t need to go elsewhere,” Rooney told on BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
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“Of course I would [open to join Carrick]. It’s a no-brainer. “I’m not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing,” remarked Rooney.
