It’s Carrick, you know
Manchester United have confirmed that Michael Carrick will take on the role of interim manager until the end of the season, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week.
This will be the second stint as an interim for Carrick after previously taking on the role in 2021 following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Carrick had been a part of the coaching staff since 2018 under Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer retained him for his time as manager.
Carrick’s first game in charge was away to Villarreal in the Champions League, with United winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, booking our place in the round of 16.
Our next game was a 1-1 away draw against Chelsea, followed by a 3-2 win over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Old Trafford, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo. Carrick was then replaced by Ralf Rangnick.
Carrick rejoins the club having now had some proper first team managerial experience with Middlesbrough. He was appointed in October 2022 with the club struggling near the bottom of the Championship. His impact was immediate. He implemented a clear possession based style, encouraged fluid attacking movement, and quickly got the best out of key players. The 2022–23 season became the highlight of his tenure, as Boro climbed up the table and finished fourth. They won their play-off semi final against Coventry, but ultimately fell short in the final against West Brom. Still, Middlesbrough were widely praised as one of the most attractive sides in the division.
During that first season he showed how he could improve individuals and create a cohesive attacking unit. Players like Chuba Akpom flourished, with him winning the Championship Golden Boot, while the team’s pressing and ball progression marked a clear identity.
However, the following season exposed the fragility of that success. Key players were sold, injuries mounted, and performances became inconsistent. Middlesbrough struggled to replicate the intensity and cohesion of the previous year, particularly defensively. A poor run of results during the 2023–24 season left them drifting away from the playoff places. Carrick was sacked in June 2024 after Middlesbrough finished outside the top six.
Carrick returns to United with a backroom staff including former United teammate Jonny Evans, Jonathan Wootgate, Steve Holland and Travis Binion. Darren Fletcher was offered the opportunity to stay on the first team’s coaching staff but he has chosen to return to his role with the U-18s.
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