Pundits Reacts To Manchester United’s Choice Of Michael Carrick As Interim Manager
Manchester United have turned to club legend Michael Carrick as their interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season, marking his second stint in charge following a brief caretaker spell in 2021.
The appointment, confirmed on January 13, 2026, comes after the club sacked Ruben Amorim on January 5 following 14 turbulent months in charge. Amorim’s tenure ended amid poor results, tactical inflexibility, and a reported falling out with the hierarchy, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. United, currently outside the top European spots and eliminated from domestic cups, handed interim duties to under-18s coach Darren Fletcher for two games before finalizing Carrick’s role.
Carrick, who made 464 appearances for United between 2006 and 2018—winning five Premier League titles, a Champions League, and multiple other trophies—previously served as caretaker after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal, guiding the team to two wins and a draw in three unbeaten matches. He later managed Middlesbrough for two-and-a-half years, achieving promotion playoffs in his first full season before being sacked after a mid-table finish.
The club opted for Carrick over other candidates, including Solskjaer, following interviews and discussions. Director of football Jason Wilcox praised him as “an excellent coach” who “knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United,” emphasizing his leadership, vision, and familiarity with the squad.
Carrick arrives with a strong backroom team: former England assistant Steve Holland as his No. 2, ex-Middlesbrough colleague Jonathan Woodgate, former United defender Jonny Evans, under-21s coach Travis Binnion, and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson. Fletcher declined a first-team role to return to the under-18s.
Upon his appointment, Carrick stated: “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour. I know what it takes to succeed 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.”
His first match is the high-stakes Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford on Saturday, January 17—followed by tough fixtures including a trip to Arsenal.
Pundits and analysts have welcomed the move as pragmatic and low-risk, highlighting Carrick’s calm demeanor, possession-based approach, and deep club connection amid ongoing instability (this marks United’s third manager of the season).
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens on ESPN discussed his potential to motivate the squad, referencing his unbeaten caretaker record. Coverage from The Athletic, The Guardian, and Sky Sports described it as a “smart” and “sensible” choice to stabilize the team, with emphasis on his integrity and proven track record in challenging situations.
Some realism persists: Carrick’s Middlesbrough spell ended in dismissal after inconsistent results, and questions remain about tactical flexibility. However, the consensus views this as a club-legend appointment to restore stability, demand effort, and target European qualification in the remaining 17 games—potentially earning a permanent role with strong performances.
United’s hierarchy plans to seek a long-term manager in the summer, but for now, the focus is on steadying the ship under a familiar, respected figure.
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