Manchester United have moved swiftly to appoint a new leader, confirming former midfielder Michael Carrick as the club's head coach until the conclusion of the current campaign.
Carrick's Immediate Challenge: The Manchester Derby
The timing of the announcement is critical, with Carrick's first game in permanent charge being the highly anticipated Manchester derby against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this Saturday. The official confirmation came on Tuesday 13 January 2026, just a week after the sacking of previous boss Ruben Amorim.
Carrick, who was pictured arriving at the club's Carrington training ground on Tuesday, became the central figure in discussions the day before. Negotiations reportedly continued late into Monday night to resolve all outstanding issues, paving the way for his appointment.
A Familiar Face Returns to the Helm
In a statement, the 44-year-old expressed his confidence in the task ahead. "I know what it takes to succeed here [at Old Trafford]," Carrick said. "My focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club." He added that he has total belief in the squad's talent and dedication, aiming to pull everyone together for the remainder of the season.
Carrick is no stranger to the hot seat at United, having previously served as caretaker manager for three games following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021. During that brief stint, he oversaw two wins and a draw.
New Backroom Staff and Rooney's Backing
The new head coach will be supported by a fresh backroom team. He is bringing in former England assistant manager Steve Holland, alongside Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion. Darren Fletcher, who took charge of the last two matches, was offered a role but has opted to return to his position as Under-18s boss.
Carrick's appointment has received endorsement from a former teammate and club legend. Wayne Rooney, speaking on his BBC Sport show, described Carrick as a "very clever person" who will command respect from the dressing room. Rooney even stated he would "of course" join Carrick's staff if asked.
The appointment process involved meetings with the club's director of football, Jason Wilcox. Both Carrick and former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who led United from December 2018 to November 2021, were considered candidates and made their pitches for the role.
With United knocked out of both domestic cup competitions, Carrick's sole focus will be on the Premier League. The club currently sits in seventh place, and the interim coach's primary objective will be to secure European qualification for next season, starting with a monumental clash against the league's top sides.
