Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge, Manchester United have appointed former captain Michael Carrick as their head coach. Having played 464 games for the club, Carrick is set to hold the head coach position at United until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Amorim left with the worst win rate in the Premier League of any permanent boss, at just 31.9%, and Under-18s head coach and former player Darren Fletcher took over as interim boss for the games in between.
Official Manchester United club statement
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season.
“Carrick played 464 games for the club, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“He joined the first-team coaching staff when he retired in 2018 and served under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s departure, Carrick led the club with distinction during his role as caretaker manager.
“The former England international was head coach at Middlesbrough for two-and-a-half years from October 2022.”
Why do Reds love Carrick?
Michael Carrick spent 12 years as a Red, keeping United’s engine ticking over with a simplicity of play that proved so vital to the team’s success. Under the leadership of the great Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013, Carrick became one of the most decorated English footballers ever, striking up an instinctive partnership with Paul Scholes in the centre of midfield as the Reds looked to win the Premier League for the first time in four years (2006/7).
On his appointment, Carrick said: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour.
“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.
“There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”
Carrick’s coaching team
On Carrick’s expert coaching team is:
- Travis Binnion – Under-21s coach
- Jonny Evans – Ex-player
- Steve Holland – Ex-assistant manager to Gareth Southgate (Euro 2020)
- Jonathan Woodgate – Former England player
- Craig Mawson – Seasoned goalkeeping coach
Carrick’s United side is in at the deep end, with the Manchester Derby against City on Saturday 17th January. Pep Guardiola’s side travel across the city of Manchester to face United at Old Trafford, with kick-off at 12:30pm.