Michael Carrick spotted at Man Utd as announcement imminent after players intervene | Football | Sport
Michael Carrick has been snapped ahead of his appointment as Manchester United’s interim manager until the end of the season. The former Red Devils ace emerged as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first-choice pick following face-to-face talks.
Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy pulled the plug on Ruben Amorim‘s ill-fated reign as United boss earlier this month following a 1-1 draw with bottom-half Leeds United. Darren Fletcher had been put in caretaker charge for United’s Premier League match against Burnley, and most recently, FA Cup third-round meeting with Brighton.
The former Scottish international failed to win either of his two games in the dugout, with Carrick expected to be ushered in ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby. Express Sport understands an agreement has been made in principle with Carrick and his coaching team, and the appointment will be announced when the formalities have been completed.
An official announcement could be made as early as Tuesday, with his first training session as gaffer likely to come on Wednesday. It’s been a quick turnaround as Carrick met Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox on Thursday, with the ex-England international beating former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the position.
It’s claimed that certain players within the United dressing room opened up to club officials about the prospect of Solskjaer returning, with some going as far as saying they didn’t have any confidence in the Norwegian. Instead, the squad voiced their preference for Carrick to take over from Amorim – a wish that looks increasingly likely to be granted.
Carrick does boast some experience in the Old Trafford hotseat, having spent three matches as the caretaker following Solskjaer’s sacking in 2021. United turned to Ralf Rangnick as interim for the rest of the season, before appointing Erik ten Hag at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Tyne and Wear-born coach was ushered in as Middlesbrough manager midway through the 2022/23 season, with Carrick managing 136 games during his time as boss. He left the Middlesbrough job in June 2025 and has remained out of work since.
Carrick is unlikely to have an easy start to life as United manager, given an away trip to Arsenal is set to follow after Saturday’s clash against rivals City. Given United were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, Carrick will only have league matches to focus on, with Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham making up the remainder of his first five in charge.
