Manchester United have made a big decision at a difficult time. Michael Carrick has agreed to become the club’s interim manager until the end of the season. The former United midfielder will now lead the team from the dugout as the club looks for stability after months of chaos and disappointment.
Carrick steps into the role after beating competition from another familiar face. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also spoken to by United, but it was Carrick who convinced the club that he was the right man to guide them to the summer. The decision shows that United want calm, experience, and a deep understanding of the club.
The 44-year-old takes over from Darren Fletcher, his former team-mate. Fletcher had stepped up from his role as Under-18s boss to take charge of the first team following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. It was never meant to be a long-term solution, but Fletcher did his best in a very hard situation.
Under Fletcher, United drew 2-2 away at Burnley. There were moments of fight in that match, but problems remained clear. Just days later, United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton at Old Trafford, a result that deepened the feeling of a club in trouble.
That FA Cup defeat was painful for many reasons. Danny Welbeck, a former United striker, scored the winning goal for Brighton. His strike sealed a miserable night for the home fans and underlined how far United have fallen in recent years.
Now, Carrick takes full control until the end of the season. He will oversee the final 17 games of the campaign, starting with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford this Saturday. It is one of the toughest ways possible to begin an interim spell, but Carrick is no stranger to pressure.
This is not Carrick’s first time leading Manchester United. Back in late 2021, he had a brief spell as caretaker manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed. During that period, Carrick took charge of three matches before Ralf Rangnick arrived as interim boss.
That short run included a famous win away at Villarreal in the Champions League. It was a night that showed Carrick’s calm nature and tactical discipline. Many inside the club felt he handled himself well, even in such a short window.
After leaving United, Carrick became Middlesbrough manager. He spent three years at the Championship club, taking charge of 136 matches and winning just under half of them. Boro finished fourth, eighth, and tenth during his time in charge.
Despite those solid finishes, Carrick was sacked at the end of last season. Still, his work at Middlesbrough earned him respect across English football, especially for his calm leadership style and his focus on developing young players.
Manchester United’s current season shows just how much work Carrick has to do. The club are out of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. They also failed to qualify for European competition, which is unthinkable for a club of United’s size.
In total, United will play only 40 matches this season. That includes 38 Premier League games, one FA Cup match against Brighton, and a shock League Cup exit to Grimsby. It is their lowest number of matches in a season since the 1914–15 campaign.
The FA Cup defeat to Brighton was another low point. United were dumped out in the third round for the first time since 2014. It also marked the earliest they have exited both cup competitions since 1982.
The match itself summed up United’s struggles. They started well but were caught sleeping after just 12 minutes. Brajan Gruda reacted fastest to a rebound and fired Brighton into the lead.
Fletcher’s side struggled to respond. The energy dropped, and confidence looked fragile. On 64 minutes, Danny Welbeck struck again, finishing brilliantly to make it 2-0 and silence Old Trafford.
United did find late hope when Benjamin Sesko scored with a back-post header. The goal briefly lifted the crowd and hinted at a possible comeback.
But the night quickly turned worse. Just moments later, 18-year-old debutant Shea Lacey was sent off. The red card killed any remaining momentum and summed up a night of frustration and bad luck.
As Carrick prepares to take over, he does so with the backing of one of the greatest players in the club’s history. Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly supported his former team-mate.
The Portuguese legend took to X to share his thoughts. He posted a picture of himself with Carrick from Carrick’s first game in charge back in 2021, the famous win in Villarreal.
Ronaldo’s words carried weight. He said: “Michael Carrick was a class act as a player and he can become a great coach as well. Nothing is impossible for this guy. Personally, I’m proud to have played with him by my side as well as with him as a manager on our bench.”
That endorsement shows the respect Carrick commands in the dressing room and beyond. Few voices in football carry more influence than Ronaldo’s, and his support could help Carrick earn trust quickly.
For Manchester United, this appointment is about survival and pride. The season cannot be saved with trophies, but it can still be finished with dignity. Carrick’s task is to steady the ship, restore confidence, and remind players what it means to wear the badge.
The coming weeks will not be easy. The derby, tough league fixtures, and intense media pressure all lie ahead. But for now, Michael Carrick carries the baton, and Manchester United hope one of their own can guide them through the storm.
