Former midfielder Michael Carrick has taken over on a temporary basis and will be managing Manchester United until the end of the 2025/26 season. The club announced the news today. Carrick had a great conversation with the board and they loved his plans. Here’s a closer look at all he has done since leaving United as a player.
One of the Best Years of Michael Carrick’s Playing Career Were Spent in Manchester
The best years of Michael Carrick’s playing career were spent at Manchester United. Carrick arrived at Old Trafford from Tottenham in 2006 for a reported £14 million plus add-ons. He was the fifth highest transfer fee paid by United at the time. He was seen by Sir Alex Ferguson as the man to replace captain Roy Keane and therefore wore the iconic number 16 jersey.
Michael Carrick was an automatic starter for eleven consecutive seasons. If he was fit, he played. Only two times did he play less than 40 games per season (a serious ankle injury in 2014/15 and heart issues in 2017/18).
Michael Carrick at Manchester United – independent.co.uk
During a League Cup match in September 2017 he was feeling ill and tests revealed he had arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat). He had ablation surgery to correct it and returned but played only 5 matches that season before announcing his retirement. His statement read: “There comes a time when your body tells you to stop, and that’s where I’m at now. I’ve thought about continuing for many days. I have recovered and I would like to finish my career on my own terms. I hope to get some more football in before the season ends.”
Over the course of twelve seasons at Manchester United, Carrick won 5 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cups, 6 Community Shields, the Champions League, Europa League and the Club World Cup. Carrick is ranked 17th for appearances (464 games) and a respectable 4th for overall trophies won (18 – only behind Scholes, Giggs and Gary Neville). He is a true legend and the club didn’t really want to lose him entirely.
Three Matches As Manchester United Manager + Possession-Based Football and Switching Between Build-Up and Counter Attack
Right after he retired, Michael Carrick began his coaching career immediately. In Spring of 2018 Jose Mourinho stated that he wanted Michael in his staff. Even though Mourinho was let go, Michael remained as assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
On 21 November 2021, Michael Carrick took the interim job after Solskjaer was fired. He took charge of three matches; wins against Arsenal (Premier League) and Villarreal (Champions League), and a draw with Chelsea. Not bad at all. Then the club hired Ralf Rangnick and Carrick chose to leave Manchester United. How ironic, because now the club wants him back to take the same interim role – full circle.
It has been almost a year since Carrick received his first permanent managerial position. On October 27, 2022 Middlesbrough, in the Championship, offered him a chance to manage their team. He led them to 4th place in the 22/23 season and the play-off spot, but lost to Coventry and failed to get promoted. Although he ultimately lost out on promotion, his performance was impressive enough that he won Championship Manager of the Month in March 2023.
Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough – skysports.com
Carrick’s Middlesbrough team based their possession-based football on high pressing and quickly transitioning from long builds to quick counter attacks. His favourite formation was 4-2-3-1 (he used it 112 times in 136 games). When he was a player, Louis Van Gaal referred to him as “the coach on the pitch.” Today he is that coach.
In his second season he made it to the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2004. They even defeated Chelsea 1-0 at home, but were destroyed 6-1 on the road. Their league finish was 8th, and he retained the job.
On June 3, 2024 he signed a new three-year contract. However, he was gone just a year later after finishing 10th in the league table. Poor results, and the board parted ways with him.
There Was Already Lobbying For His Return As Manchester United Manager After Only 9 Months
By September 2025 Rene Meulensteen (one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s old assistants) said to BetVictor that Carrick would be the obvious choice if Ruben Amorim was let go: “He’s an obvious choice. He still knows lots of the players from when he was here. He has great inside knowledge. He understands the club and what is expected. It’s not about magic – it’s common sense, and he’s got plenty of that.”
When Amorim was let go in February 2026, United were looking for someone to act as interim until summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared to be the leading candidate but in the final couple of days the board shifted towards Carrick. Since he assisted Solskjaer, now he is going to take his job. Journalist Ben Jacobs states that Carrick will already be in charge for the Manchester City match on 17 January.
Wayne Rooney – independent.co.uk
Wayne Rooney
former Manchester United striker
“Michael is a very intelligent coach, did a great job at Middlesbrough. I think it’s a great appointment. There aren’t many top managers available right now who have won major trophies recently. Carrick lives and breathes this club — that’s exactly what we need.”
If Carrick achieves positive results, and develops a strong connection with the players, do not be shocked if they offer him the permanent manager’s job in Summer 2026. Could one of Ferguson’s finest midfielders develop into a worthy successor to the great Scottish manager?
