Man United confirm legend Michael Carrick as interim head coach

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of former midfielder and club legend Michael Carrick as interim head coach for the rest of the season, following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim early in the year.

Carrick emerged as the leading contender, securing the job at Old Trafford ahead of Darren Fletcher, who led the team in the last two games, as well as former player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer managed the club between 2018 and 2021, before being shown the exit after winning 54 per cent (91) of his 168 matches in charge.

Carrrick reached an agreement with Man United on the caretaker role, after being he was picked ahead of the two, with significant inputs from senior players from the current squad, who preferred working with the former Middlesbrough boss.

This will be Carrick’s second stint with the club following the sacking of yet another manager in the middle of the season, and he has been poised for the interim role for the Red Devils since the role became vacant.

After hanging up his boots at the close of the 2017/18 season, he effortlessly ventured into coaching, joining Jose Mourinho’s backroom staff at Old Trafford.

And when Mourinho was sacked, Carrick assumed the first-team coach duties throughout Solskjaer’s 168-game reign at the club.

Michael Carrick back as caretaker coach for United — This will be Michael Carrick’s second stint as caretaker coach for Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)

The 44-year-old’s appointment has been spearheaded by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox following positive talks on Saturday and approval on Monday.

With Carrick’s confirmation by the club now over the line, the English manager’s first match at the helm is likely to be Saturday’s Manchester derby. Carrick and his staff are expected to conduct their first training session on Wednesday, with the first-team squad having Tuesday off.

Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion will be part of Carrick’s backroom staff. Woodgate was Carrick’s second in command at Boro, while Evans and Binnion assisted Darren Fletcher for the games against Burnley and Brighton last week.

Former England and Chelsea assistant Steve Holland will also be joining up with Carrick. Holland worked under Gareth Southgate with the Three Lions before going on to be appointed as Yokohama F. Marinos boss.

Fletcher, on the other hand, will not be part of the coaching team after he turned down the chance to be part of Carrick’s backroom staff. He would rather return to the Under-18s.

The Scot was allowed to remain on the first-team coaching staff under Carrick, but he has opted instead to step back and resume his role as Under-18s head coach for the remainder of the season.

Carrick and his team will take charge for the first time in Saturday’s blockbuster Manchester derby at Old Trafford.