Carrick emerges as front-runner for Manchester United caretaker role

Michael Carrick has emerged as the leading candidate to become Manchester United’s next caretaker manager as the club moves swiftly to restore stability following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

Sources close to the process say discussions are progressing rapidly, with United keen to have an interim structure in place before players return to training on Wednesday. With the priority firmly on a short-term appointment, urgency is now shaping decision-making at Old Trafford.

Carrick, a former United midfielder and coach, is understood to be viewed internally as the preferred option on a caretaker basis, although no official confirmation has yet been made by the club hierarchy.

United parted ways with Amorim on January 5, ending the Portuguese coach’s 14-month spell amid growing concerns over results, performances, and the overall direction of the team.

In the immediate aftermath, Darren Fletcher was placed in temporary charge, but results since then have done little to ease tensions within the club.

A Premier League draw against Burnley failed to provide momentum, while Sunday’s FA Cup elimination at the hands of Brighton further heightened pressure on senior executives.

As a result, interim arrangements have been fast-tracked behind the scenes, with Carrick now ahead of both internal and external alternatives.

Carrick is no stranger to stepping in during periods of upheaval at United. He previously took temporary charge in November 2021 following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, overseeing a short but steady run that included two wins and a draw before Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment was finalised.

His deep-rooted connection to the club is considered a key advantage. Carrick made 464 appearances for United between 2006 and 2018 after joining from Tottenham Hotspur, winning multiple domestic and European honours.

READ ALSO: Manchester United sack Amorim, Darren Fletcher set for interim role

Following his retirement, he served on the coaching staff under Jose Mourinho and later remained part of Solskjaer’s backroom team, giving him extensive familiarity with the club’s culture and expectations.

Carrick’s most recent managerial experience came at Middlesbrough, where he spent two and a half seasons in charge before leaving in June. He guided the club to the Championship play-offs in the 2022–23 season but narrowly missed out on a top-six finish in successive campaigns, leading to his departure.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also understood to have held face-to-face discussions with United officials as the club assesses its options. Despite those talks, Carrick is believed to be the leading choice at this stage of the process.

Football analysts say Carrick’s appeal lies in his ability to offer continuity without committing the club to a long-term direction prematurely.

According to Premier League pundits, appointing a caretaker with deep institutional knowledge can help stabilise performances and dressing-room morale while the club plans a more permanent solution.

“Carrick knows the environment, understands the pressure, and has already shown he can steady the ship in the short term,” one former United player-turned-analyst said. “That makes him a low-risk option for an interim period.”