Michael Carrick to be appointed as Manchester United interim manager

JAKARTA - Manchester United is close to appointing Michael Carrick as their interim manager until the end of the season.

Launching ESPN, The Red Devils hope to make an official announcement in the next 48 hours in the hope that Carrick will be available to lead training at Carrington on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The main team squad has been given a rest on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, after the defeat in the third round of the FA Cup against Brighton on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Carrick held further talks with CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox on Monday, January 12, 2026, following the first face-to-face meeting last Thursday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer met with Berrada and Wilcox on Saturday, January 10, 2026, but it seems that the Norwegian coach lost out to Carrick.

Manchester United denied that Solskjaer was ever a front-runner for the position.

Club officials prefer Carrick because he is considered a more hands-on coach.

During Solskjaer's tenure between 2018 and 2021, he delegated most of the coaching duties on the pitch to Kieran McKenna - who is now Ipswich Town manager - and Carrick.

Carrick's personality and coaching qualities impressed senior players during his tenure at Manchester United. The former England midfielder was liked by some senior players at the club.

This will be Carrick's second spell in charge after a brief stint following Solskjaer's sacking in November 2021.

He led the team for three matches before leaving the club after the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim coach.

Talks about Carrick's coaching staff are ongoing. Jonathan Woodgate, who was Carrick's assistant at Middlesbrough, is one of the names being considered.

Carrick's brother, Graeme, who worked with Michael at Middlesbrough and previously worked for the English Football Association (FA), is expected to have a role in Manchester United's coaching staff, if negotiations with Carrick reach a successful conclusion.

Manchester United's next match is against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, January 17, 2026. After that, they will travel to the home of the English League standings leader, Arsenal, on January 25, 2026.