Carrick returns to Old Trafford as Manchester United interim head coach

Manchester United have appointed former midfielder Michael Carrick as caretaker head coach until the end of the season, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this month, Sport360NG reports.

Carrick, 44, will be supported by an experienced backroom team that includes former England assistant Steve Holland, alongside Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion.

The former United midfielder previously took temporary charge of the club for three matches following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 and will return to the Old Trafford dugout this weekend for the Premier League derby against Manchester City.

United parted company with Amorim on 5 January after 14 months in charge, with Darren Fletcher overseeing two matches on an interim basis. Fletcher will now resume his role with the club’s under-18 side, a move described as mutually agreed and part of his long-term development within the club.

Speaking on the club’s Inside Carrington podcast, Carrick described his return as emotional and challenging in equal measure.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to walk back through the doors and be part of the club again,” he said. “It’s a huge responsibility and a privilege. We want to do a good job, this place deserves that.”

Carrick indicated he is prepared to be flexible tactically in the short term but stressed his desire for an attacking, front-foot style of play.

“I want us to be exciting, positive and expressive,” he added. “I want to enjoy watching the team, and results have to come with that.”

United officials held face-to-face discussions with Carrick last Thursday, during which he impressed chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox with his vision and coaching philosophy.

Carrick is expected to move away from Amorim’s three-man defence and implement a 4-2-3-1 system, a shape more closely aligned with United’s traditional approach. He previously oversaw a similar tactical transition during his spell at Middlesbrough.

Solskjaer, who also held talks with the club, was considered for the role, but United ultimately opted for Carrick, viewing him as a more hands-on coach capable of working intensively with the squad during a turbulent period.

Experienced staff to steady United

Holland arrives with an extensive pedigree, having worked under Gareth Southgate during England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024. He also enjoyed sustained success at Chelsea before a brief managerial stint in Japan earlier this year.

Woodgate reunites with Carrick after their time together at Middlesbrough and brings additional experience from spells in management and coaching, as well as familiarity with the pressures of elite clubs. Evans, meanwhile, returns to Old Trafford having been part of the first-team dressing room until last summer, offering insight and continuity. Binnion remains a highly regarded figure within United’s academy structure and is viewed as integral to the club’s long-term coaching plans.

United believe the blend of Carrick’s modern coaching approach and the experience around him provides the right balance to guide the club through to the end of the campaign, as they seek stability on and off the pitch during a critical phase of the season.