Manchester United have confirmed they are in negotiations with former midfielder Michael Carrick to take over as the club's interim manager for the remainder of the season. The announcement came on Monday, following a weekend of intense speculation over who would lead the team after a turbulent period.
Carrick Emerges as Front-Runner
Michael Carrick has held face-to-face talks with club executives, including CEO Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. These discussions, which took place last Thursday, are understood to have impressed the United hierarchy, propelling him to the top of their shortlist.
The search for a temporary boss began after Ruben Amorim was dismissed and Darren Fletcher's two-match spell as caretaker concluded. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who met with Berrada and Wilcox on Saturday, has not been formally ruled out, the club's focus has shifted decisively towards securing Carrick.
Other candidates, such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Fletcher himself, were initially considered but are no longer in contention for the role.
Inside the Decision-Making Process
Carrick's deep connection to Manchester United, where he spent 12 years as a player and served as a first-team coach under both Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer between 2018 and 2021, works significantly in his favour. He previously took charge for three matches following Solskjaer's sacking in 2021, overseeing games against Villarreal, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
It is reported that the 44-year-old retains strong support within the current dressing room from players who worked with him during his previous coaching stint. His subsequent spell as Middlesbrough manager, which ended last June after two-and-a-half years, provided him with valuable head coach experience.
Carrick left United when Ralf Rangnick was appointed interim manager in 2021, as the German brought in his own backroom staff.
Timeline and Next Steps
Manchester United are keen to have the new interim manager in place before Saturday's crucial Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford. Although an official announcement was anticipated on Monday, sources suggest the process may take a little longer to finalise.
The club's leadership is moving swiftly to bring stability to the first team during a critical phase of the campaign. All parties are motivated to reach an agreement promptly, ensuring the new boss has time to prepare for the high-stakes fixture this weekend.
