Manchester United are on the verge of confirming Michael Carrick as their interim manager, with an official announcement expected within the next 48 hours. The former United midfielder is finalising the details of a deal that will see him take the reins at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.
Deal Finalised as Carrick Beats Solskjaer to Role
According to reports, Carrick was in Manchester today to put the finishing touches on an agreement. The 44-year-old has emerged as the preferred candidate over fellow former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with both having been interviewed by club officials after the dismissal of Rubén Amorim.
Discussions are now centred on the composition of Carrick's backroom team. While an announcement is not anticipated today due to some outstanding details, the club is moving swiftly. It is expected that Carrick and his staff will be in place to oversee training on Wednesday, when the first-team squad returns after two days off.
A Familiar Face Returns to the Dugout
Carrick is no stranger to a temporary role at United, having briefly taken charge following Solskjaer's departure and before Ralf Rangnick's arrival in 2021. As a player, he enjoyed immense success at the club, winning five Premier League titles before retiring in 2018.
His managerial credentials were built at Middlesbrough, where he guided the team from the Championship relegation zone to the play-offs in his first season. He also led them to the Carabao Cup semi-finals the following campaign before being dismissed last summer after a 10th-place finish.
Pressure Mounts for European Qualification
The interim appointment comes at a critical juncture for the club. Current caretaker Darren Fletcher has overseen a 2-2 draw at Burnley and a disappointing home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, ending United's involvement in both domestic cup competitions.
Fletcher has admitted the players have a point to prove, with securing European qualification now considered essential for the rest of the season. United currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
"This team is still good enough to achieve success this season, but they have to dig deep," Fletcher said. "The fans have every right to voice their complaints. I'm sure if the players react in the right way, the fans will get behind them as they always do, because there is still so much to play for in the Premier League this season."
Carrick's first match in charge is set to be a monumental test: a Premier League clash against arch-rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this coming Saturday.
