Manchester United are on the verge of officially confirming the return of Michael Carrick to the club, this time as their interim head coach. The former midfielder is set to take the reins until the end of the season following the sudden departure of Ruben Amorim.
Deal Agreed for Carrick's Return
An agreement in principle has been struck between the club and Carrick, with negotiations now focused on finalising the details for him and his chosen backroom staff. The announcement could come as soon as Tuesday, 13th January 2026.
Carrick, 44, is expected to take charge of his first training session on Wednesday, with the first-team squad having a day off on Tuesday. His first match in the dugout is likely to be the highly anticipated Manchester derby against City at the weekend.
Vision That Won Over the Hierarchy
Carrick emerged as the preferred candidate after positive, face-to-face discussions with chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox last Thursday. The club's leadership was reportedly impressed by his clear vision for the team during these talks.
Further discussions took place on Monday to iron out the final terms, including the composition of his coaching team. This is a pressing matter for United, who are left with a shortage of senior coaches after Amorim and his entire Portuguese staff exited the club.
Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also spoken to about a potential interim role on Saturday, but the decision has moved firmly in Carrick's direction.
From Caretaker to Permanent Boss and Back Again
This will not be Carrick's first stint in the Old Trafford hotseat. He briefly took over as caretaker manager for three games following Solskjaer's sacking in November 2021, guiding United to victories against Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw with Chelsea.
He subsequently left to pursue a permanent managerial career, taking charge of Middlesbrough in the Championship. He enjoyed a successful first season, leading Boro to the play-offs in 2022-23, but was dismissed in June 2025 after the team finished 10th.
Now, he returns to Manchester with the immediate task of steadying the ship at his former club for the remainder of the campaign.
