BREAKING: Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick as interim coach for rest of the season

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester United have agreed a deal to appoint Michael Carrick as the new interim head coach until the end of this season. The official announcement is planned for next Tuesday.

Reportedly beating Ole Gunnar Solskjær to take the position, Michael Carrick is believed to help the team finish in the top five of Premier League, securing a Champions League spot for next season. He will begin his tenure this Saturday, when his team face Manchester City in the 22nd round of the Premier League.

Previously, Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5, less than 24 hours after a draw between Manchester United and Leeds. Under his management, United recorded just 24 wins in 63 matches (31.9%), the lowest win rate of any coach to take charge since Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement.

After Amorim was sacked, Darren Fletcher took over on an interim basis, but results did not improve. Manchester United were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Burnley in the Premier League and were then knocked out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton. He is expected to join Carrick’s coaching staff.

Alongside with Fletcher, Wayne Rooney is also open to join Carrick’s technical team. He said on The Wayne Rooney Show earlier: “Michael is a very clever person and he will command respect from the dressing room. I think what the club needs is people around the place, whether that’s Michael, Fletch, John O’Shea or myself. 

People who know the club, care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player. I’ve said earlier this season that the club has lost its family feel. This is a great opportunity to bring the spirit of Manchester United back into the football club.”

Michael Carrick had a rich history with the club. He made 464 appearances, scoring 24 goals for the Old Trafford side, contributing to five Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy as a player.

After announcing his retirement in 2018, he continued his football career by joining José Mourinho’s backroom staff and later working under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. In 2022, Carrick took on his first full managerial role at Middlesbrough, guiding the team from 21st place to a fourth-place finish in his debut season.