Manchester United Appoint Michael Carrick as Head Coach
Manchester United have officially appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025-26 season, in a bid to steady the club’s turbulent campaign and prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including Saturday’s Manchester derby. The announcement was made on Tuesday, with Carrick a club legend who made 464 appearances and won multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and more at Old Trafford agreeing to take charge following the departure of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
Carrick, 44, returned to the club where he began his coaching career after retiring in 2018 and has since developed his managerial credentials, including a two-and-a-half-year spell at Middlesbrough.
In his first remarks as head coach, Carrick said it was an honour to lead Manchester United and stressed his belief in the squad’s talent and ability to deliver performances that reflect the club’s tradition and expectations.
Director of football Jason Wilcox described Carrick as “an excellent coach who knows what it takes to win at Manchester United,” and confirmed a strong support team will work alongside him for the rest of the season.
The interim appointment follows a brief period under interim manager Darren Fletcher after Amorim’s exit; Fletcher will return to his youth coaching role while Carrick’s new regime, including experienced assistants such as Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate, takes over.
United are currently seventh in the Premier League as they chase European qualification, a priority Carrick has highlighted as part of his short-term objectives.
His first match in charge will come against Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford, a high-pressure fixture that sets the tone for the final months of United’s campaign.
