Manchester United are poised to turn to a familiar face to steady the ship, with Michael Carrick expected to be appointed as interim manager until the end of the season. This move comes after a turbulent period following Ruben Amorim's departure last week.
A History of Making Difficult Decisions
This would mark Carrick's second caretaker role at Old Trafford, having previously taken charge following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit in November 2021. A report from The Times sheds light on that brief spell, revealing a manager unafraid to make tough calls, even against star players and personal friends.
In his very first match in charge, a Champions League clash against Villarreal, Carrick made the bold decision to drop Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes to the bench. This was due to the midfielder's poor run of form at the time, demonstrating that reputation would not guarantee a starting place under his leadership.
No Favouritism for Friends
Further emphasising his pragmatic approach, Carrick's treatment of Juan Mata is particularly telling. Mata is noted as one of Carrick's closest friends from their playing days together at United. Despite this, across his three-game tenure in 2021, Carrick handed the Spanish midfielder just a single substitute appearance.
This history suggests that sentiment will play no part in his team selections as he prepares to take the helm once more. Carrick, who was seen arriving at United's Carrington training base on Tuesday, is set to beat another club icon, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to the interim role.
Immediate Pressure with Manchester Derby Ahead
If confirmed imminently, Carrick will be thrust straight into the deep end. His first match back in charge will be the high-stakes Manchester derby against rivals Manchester City this Sunday in the Premier League.
United's focus is now solely on the league after a disappointing cup campaign. Their weekend FA Cup defeat to Brighton, following an earlier Carabao Cup exit, means they will play only 40 matches in all competitions this season. This is the club's lowest number of games in a single campaign since the 1914-15 season.
The interim period under Darren Fletcher, which included a draw with Burnley and the loss to Brighton, now appears to be ending. The club's hierarchy will hope Carrick's proven willingness to make unpopular decisions can bring stability and improved results for the remainder of the Premier League season.
