Manchester United hires former player Michael Carrick as head coach until end of the season

“I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing,” he said.

By appointing Carrick on a temporary basis, United is giving itself time to find a long-term replacement for Amorim, who became the sixth permanent manager or coach to be discarded by the storied club after more than a decade of decline since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

It is possible Carrick could put himself in contention if he impresses during the 17 remaining games this season. And while he has only initially been appointed for the short-term, it was notable that United did not describe him as interim when announcing his contract.

Carrick’s priorities

Carrick’s only full-time managerial experience was at second-tier Middlesbrough from 2022-25, where his reign ended after failing to secure promotion to the Premier League.

Former England assistant Steve Holland will be part of his coaching team at United.

Carrick’s first two games are tough ones — at home to second-place Manchester City in the league on Saturday and away to first-place Arsenal the following weekend.

In his previous spell at United, he oversaw wins against Arsenal and Villarreal as well as a draw at Chelsea.

His priority is to secure Champions League qualification after defeat to Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday put the 20-time English champion on course for another trophyless season after ending up empty-handed last term.

United, which was knocked out of the English League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby, is seventh in the Premier League, but Carrick said he had “total belief” in the players.

“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,” he said.

As well as Carrick and Solskjaer, other former United players Darren Fletcher and Ruud van Nistelrooy were considered for the role. Fletcher took charge of United’s two games following Amorim’s departure — a draw at Burnley in the league and the loss to Brighton. He is expected to return to his role as youth coach.

After Ferguson

Amorim was the latest to fail to lead United back to the summit of English soccer in the post-Ferguson era after David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.

Carrick was part of one of Ferguson’s greatest teams, which won a Premier League and Champions League double in 2008. In all he won 12 major trophies in 12 years at United.

He was in United’s last Premier League title winning team in Ferguson’s final season.

“Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United,” said United director of football Jason Wilcox, who led the search for Amorim’s replacement. “He is ready to lead our talented and determined group of players for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.”

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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

James Robson, The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

Manchester United hires former player Michael Carrick as head coach until end of the season

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