Michael Carrick has moved to the front of the queue to become Manchester United's interim head coach.
United executives are aiming to have a temporary appointment confirmed by Tuesday so the new coach can oversee training from Wednesday and begin preparations for Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Detailed discussions have already taken place with Carrick and further talks are scheduled, while no additional meetings are currently planned with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, although the Norwegian remains under consideration.
The recruitment process is being led by director of football Jason Wilcox, who – along with chief executive Omar Berrada – has met both Carrick and Solskjaer in recent days. While no final decision has been taken, Carrick is understood to have impressed senior figures with his vision for the remainder of the season and has also garnered notable support from within the current squad.
Darren Fletcher, who was handed short-term responsibility after Amorim’s dismissal on January 6, confirmed following Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton that his agreed spell in charge has come to an end. Fletcher oversaw a Premier League draw at Burnley and the cup loss to Brighton, leaving United now focused solely on league matters after exiting both domestic cup competitions.
Carrick is no stranger to the role. He previously took temporary charge of United for three matches following Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, recording two wins and a draw before stepping aside when Ralf Rangnick was appointed. Since then, the former midfielder managed Middlesbrough for two and a half years, guiding them to the Championship play-offs in 2022-23 before narrowly missing out on the top six in the following campaigns, which ultimately led to his departure last summer.
Although Solskjaer brings greater experience from his three-year spell as United manager between 2018 and 2021, sources indicate Carrick’s calm personality, coaching credentials and strong relationships with players during his time on the Old Trafford coaching staff have given him an edge. Carrick worked under Jose Mourinho before remaining as a key member of Solskjaer’s backroom team throughout his tenure.
With European qualification now the club’s primary objective for the rest of the campaign, United are keen to move swiftly. An announcement is expected in the coming days as the club looks to provide clarity and momentum ahead of a critical run of fixtures, starting with the visit of Manchester City.
