Michael Carrick is under increasing pressure at Manchester United following a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, leaving the club just one point above the relegation zone. If the club decides to part ways with the manager, several candidates could step in on an interim basis.
Carrick's Difficult Start
Carrick, who took the permanent role in the summer after guiding the club to third place last year while in interim charge, has won just once in eight Premier League games this season. That sole victory came in a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, a match in which United initially trailed.
The boss spent £153 million in the transfer market, but results have not followed. A 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League made Sunday's match against Bournemouth particularly significant, yet United again came up short.
Carrick has acknowledged the situation, saying: "I totally understand the situation, I'm not expecting anything in particular to be honest, I'm carrying on as normal and I love this place, I always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made and anything really, so that's kind of it, I'm not expecting anything at all."
Potential Interim Candidates
Express Sport has identified seven potential caretaker managers who could take charge if Carrick is dismissed.
Roy Keane – The former United star has been vocal about the club's poor management. He previously managed Sunderland and Ipswich Town, with an average win rate of 38.7% across 181 games. As a player, he won seven Premier League titles and several domestic trophies.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – The Norwegian previously managed United for 168 games, winning 91 and losing 40. He led the club to a second-placed Premier League finish and the Europa League final in the same season, losing on penalties to Villarreal at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Darren Fletcher – The ex-Scotland international took temporary charge in January, drawing with Burnley and exiting the FA Cup to Brighton. He currently manages the United U-18s and would be an easy option for the club's hierarchy.
Steve Holland – Carrick's assistant has experience with England alongside Gareth Southgate and has had stints at Chelsea, Stoke City and Crewe Alexandra. His decision would depend on whether he would follow Carrick out of the club or stay for stability.
Steve Bruce – The former United captain has managed 13 teams over 26 years, including Hull City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Birmingham City. With over 1,000 games in the dugout, he could return to management to lift United up the table.
Wayne Rooney – The ex-forward won 16 major trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson, including five Premier League titles. His managerial career has been less successful, with a 25.3% win rate across stints at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
Sam Allardyce – The 72-year-old has managed 13 clubs, including Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle. He is a United fan and an expert at steering clubs away from relegation. He most recently managed Leeds in 2023, holding the record for the shortest tenure in Premier League history at 30 days. He has won 411 games across a 32-year career.
