Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Manchester United's permanent head coach, signing a contract until 2028. The 44-year-old, who took over as interim manager in January, has guided the club back to the Champions League and secured a guaranteed third-place finish in the Premier League.
Carrick's interim tenure began with consecutive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, and he has overseen 11 wins and three draws in 16 games across all competitions. His appointment follows the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, under whom United had slipped to sixth and exited both cup competitions.
Carrick, a former United midfielder who played for the club for 12 years until 2018, previously had a brief interim spell in 2021. He said: 'From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose.'
Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, recommended Carrick's appointment, which was approved by owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family. Wilcox praised Carrick for restoring morale and forging a strong bond with players, noting his alignment with the club's values.
Carrick has earned support from key players, including Kobbie Mainoo, who said he wanted 'to die for him on the pitch', and captain Bruno Fernandes, who equalled the Premier League assist record under Carrick's leadership. The club plans to strengthen the squad significantly, with a replacement for Casemiro a priority.
