Manchester United has reportedly reached a total agreement with Michael Carrick to lead the club as interim manager until the end of the 2025/26 season. The former midfield maestro returns to Old Trafford with a single, clear mission: securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the decision was finalized following Darren Fletcher’s brief two-game stint. United’s hierarchy, led by INEOS, believes Carrick’s experience and deep connection to the club’s DNA make him the ideal candidate to stabilize a dressing room shattered by recent cup humiliations.
A Proven Track Record at Middlesbrough
Carrick arrives at Old Trafford not just as a legend, but as an established manager. During his 136-game tenure at Middlesbrough, he transformed the Boro into one of the most tactically fluid teams in the Championship.
This isn’t his first time steadying the ship at United, either. Carrick famously went unbeaten in a three-match interim spell in 2021—including a crucial win against Villarreal—following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
The ‘Premier League Only’ Focus
Following the “shameful” EFL Cup exit to Grimsby Town and Sunday’s heartbreaking FA Cup loss to Brighton, Manchester United has no domestic or European cups left to play for.
The Standings: United currently sits 7th in the Premier League.
The Goal: With a reduced schedule, Carrick’s only objective is to bridge the gap to the top four and ensure Champions League football for 2026/27.
Tactical Reset: From Mourinho to Amorim
Having served on José Mourinho’s coaching staff and witnessed the transition through several managers, Carrick is expected to move away from Ruben Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 system. Insiders suggest he will implement a more traditional 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, aimed at getting the best out of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, who have struggled for form this season.
