Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with guiding the Red Devils back into the Champions League.
“Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies during his 12-year playing career at the club.
The former midfielder previously had a brief unbeaten stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021, overseeing three matches without defeat. He later took on his first permanent managerial role at Championship side Middlesbrough in October 2022 but was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the league.
Carrick faces an immediate challenge, preparing United for a Premier League clash against local rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
Currently seventh in the table, United remain in contention for a top-four finish, which would secure Champions League qualification for the first time in three seasons. They sit three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and one point behind fifth-placed Brentford.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players reach the standards we expect at this incredible club, which I know this group is capable of achieving,” Carrick said. “There is still a lot to fight for this season. We are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances their loyal support deserves.”
The Red Devils dismissed Ruben Amorim last week after a disappointing 14-month stint in charge. Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher oversaw a 2-2 draw against lowly Burnley in the Premier League and a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton, dampening hopes of an immediate turnaround.
With early exits from both domestic cup competitions and no European football this season, United will play just 40 matches—their lowest number since the 1914/1915 campaign.
Carrick’s extensive experience at United as both a player and coach reportedly convinced the club hierarchy that he is the safe pair of hands needed for the remainder of the season. After spells at West Ham and Tottenham, he moved to United, where he won five league titles and the Champions League during his 12-year stay.
When his playing career ended in 2018, Carrick joined the coaching staff as an assistant to Jose Mourinho and later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s dismissal, he briefly led the first team, securing impressive results against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Villarreal.
However, his tenure at Middlesbrough ultimately fell short of expectations. Despite having one of the Championship’s biggest budgets, he led Boro to the play-offs in his first season, losing to Coventry in the semi-finals over two legs. The club finished eighth and tenth in his two full seasons before he was sacked for failing to achieve promotion.
AFP
