Michael Carrick speaks after confirmation as Man United interim manager

Michael Carrick has made his first statement after his official confirmation as Manchester United’s interim head coach, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week.

Carrick was the race over fellow club legends, Daren Fletcher and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, for the caretaker role at Old Trafford until the summer.

He will be joined by Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion, Jonny Evans and Craig Mawson on the coaching staff. Woodgate was Carrick’s second in command at Boro, while Evans and Binnion have been assisting Darren Fletcher for the games against Burnley and Brighton last week.

The 44-year-old got the nod ahead of fellow United legend and former manager, Solskjaer, after holding crunch talks with Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, over the weekend.

Carrick reached an agreement with Man United on the caretaker role on Tuesday, with the club to assume the vacant head coach role for the rest of the season.

Speaking for the first time following his appointment as a “stopgap” head coach for a second stint, Carrick said:

“Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.

“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.

“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.

“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”

The former England international ranks among United’s all-time midfield greats, delivering 464 appearances over 12 successful years that delivered a trophy haul including five Premier League crowns and the 2008 Champions League.

United have handed Carrick the clear mandate of securing Champions League qualification—a realistic target given they sit seventh in the Premier League, just one point adrift of the top five.