Manchester United turn to Carrick for season salvage

Manchester United have handed the reins to club legend Michael Carrick until the end of the season, hoping the former midfield general can steady a campaign drifting off course.

United confirmed Carrick’s appointment on Tuesday (January 13).

The 44-year-old will lead training for the first time on Wednesday, with a baptism of fire awaiting on Saturday when City rivals Manchester City visit Old Trafford.

The move follows the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week, ending a troubled 14-month spell. Carrick was preferred over former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy, while interim boss Darren Fletcher has returned to the club’s under-18 setup.

“To lead Manchester United is a huge honour,” Carrick said in a club statement. “I understand the standards required here. My job is to help the players meet them and deliver results.”

United’s season has unravelled across multiple fronts, with early exits from two domestic competitions and patchy Premier League form leaving them chasing momentum rather than trophies.

Carrick briefly took charge during the 2021–22 season after Solskjaer’s dismissal, overseeing wins against Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw at Chelsea — a game remembered for his bold call to bench Cristiano Ronaldo.

After departing United when Ralf Rangnick arrived, Carrick made his mark at Middlesbrough, guiding them to the Championship playoffs in 2023 and a League Cup semifinal the following season before leaving last June.

As a player, Carrick was a cornerstone of United’s most successful modern era. He lifted the Champions League in 2008 and claimed five Premier League titles during a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford.

Now, the challenge is immediate and unforgiving. United sit seventh in the league, three points off the top four, with little room for slip-ups. Carrick’s task is clear: spark belief, tighten performances and drag United back into the fight — starting with the Manchester derby.