Man Utd to appoint Michael Carrick as interim manager with backroom staff clear

Michael Carrick is on the verge of being announced as Manchester United's interim head coach until the end of the season, with an agreement in principle in place and coaching staff details emerging

Michael Carrick is heading back to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

Michael Carrick is poised to be unveiled as Manchester United's interim head coach until the season's end.

An agreement has been reached to bring in Carrick, 44, and his coaching team, with all parties now working toward finalizing the deal. Carrick's appointment could be confirmed on Tuesday, with his inaugural match likely to be Saturday's Manchester derby.

Carrick and his staff are slated to conduct their first training session on Wednesday, with the first-team squad having Tuesday off. Following face-to-face discussions with United's chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, Carrick emerged as the prime candidate to stabilize the Premier League club.

Carrick met with the pair last Thursday, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a chat with them on Saturday.

Impressed by Carrick's vision during these talks, Berrada and Carrick held further discussions on Monday with the aim of sealing a deal with the former United midfielder.

These talks included considerations over the makeup of the ex-Middlesbrough manager's backroom staff, particularly given United's lack of senior coaches following the departure of Ruben Amorim and his coaching team.

Carrick was previously in charge of Middlesbrough(Image: Getty Images)

Jonathan Woodgate, Carrick's former coach at Middlesbrough, is expected to join his coaching staff, along with ex-United defender Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion.

Steve Holland, the former England No. 2 under Gareth Southgate, is expected to serve as Carrick's assistant head coach.

Darren Fletcher, who has managed United's last two matches, will revert to his role with the U18s now that Carrick is virtually in position.

Fletcher's two games in charge saw United draw 2-2 at Burnley in the Premier League before losing 2-1 at home to Brighton in the FA Cup.

Carrick took over as United's manager for three games following Solskjaer's dismissal in November 2021, having been part of the Norwegian's coaching team.

He steered United to victories against Villarreal and Arsenal, and a draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, before he too left for new opportunities ahead of Ralf Rangnick's arrival.

Carrick then became a leading figure in his own right in the Championship at Middlesbrough, guiding them to the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.

After two-and-a-half years in charge on Teesside, Carrick was fired in June 2025 when the team failed to qualify for the Championship playoffs, finishing in 10th place.