January 13, (THEWILL) — Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick will serve as head coach until the end of the 2025/2026 campaign, bringing the former captain back to Old Trafford.
The club opted for Carrick over interim boss Darren Fletcher, who oversaw recent matches against Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion before returning to his under-18s role, and former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who held discussions with the hierarchy.
Carrick won 12 major honours during 464 appearances for United between 2006 and 2018. He spent time on the coaching staff under José Mourinho and Solskjær before a three-game caretaker spell in late 2021.
He subsequently managed Middlesbrough for nearly three years, reaching the Championship play-offs and a League Cup semi-final, though he was dismissed last summer after a 10th-place finish.
Former England assistant Steve Holland, who supported Gareth Southgate through four major tournaments, will join the backroom team.
Wayne Rooney has also expressed willingness to contribute if called upon, describing such an opportunity as “a no-brainer” on his BBC podcast.
Carrick faces an immediate test with fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal in his opening fortnight.
United’s early exit from both domestic cup competitions means only 17 English Premier League matches remain, with encounters against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Aston Villa among the challenges ahead.
The former midfielder previously oversaw three unbeaten matches as caretaker in November and December 2021, securing victories over Villarreal and Arsenal plus a draw at Chelsea.
His current appointment marks a return to a club where he captained the side in his final season and transitioned directly into coaching upon retirement in 2018.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
