Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is all set to take over as the interim manager. Reports suggest that an agreement, in principle, has been reached for him to lead the club until the end of the 2025–26 season. The official announcement is expected in a day or two, ahead of the Manchester Derby on January 17.
Amorim was sacked on January 5, after just 14 months and just 24 wins in 63 games, with a win percentage of 31.9 per cent.
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A club legend, Carrick emerged as a frontrunner after interview of candidates, including former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Interestingly, he was part of the support staff when Solskjær was the coach, before the latter was sacked in 2021. Carrick had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker manager (two wins, one draw) before Ralf Rangnick took over.
Carrick played as a midfielder at Old Trafford from 2006 to 2018, winning 10 to 12 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He managed Middlesbrough in the Championship from October 2022 to June 2025. In his first season, he led them from 21st to fourth place, but was dismissed in mid-2025 after a 10th-place finish.
Manchester United are currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Carrick’s immediate goal is to secure Champions League qualification during his 17-match interim tenure.
He is, reportedly, looking to bring in Jonathan Woodgate (his former assistant at Middlesbrough) and has offered a role to Darren Fletcher, who led the team for the last two matches as caretaker manager. Interestingly, former club legend Wayne Rooney has said he would be open to joining Carrick’s coaching staff. "Michael loves the football club and would step in to do a job if he can."He lives and breathes that club – that's what the club needs."